


(SUESTS 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 







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;UESTS+OF+THEWESRT, 




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EDITED BY A. CRAIG. 






AUGUSTA. MAINE! 
E. C. ALLEN. 



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Copyright, 1883. 
TRUE & CO. 

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^i-IITRODUaTIOII.-t^^^^^ 



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'HIS volume of sweet and comforting hymns will find a glad 
welcome in multitudes of homes, where the vacant seat is 
a continual reminder of the filled seat in Heaven, and 
where the hand of sorrow has shut the heart-door against the 
voices of the world, in order that the soul might become more sen- 
sitive to the voices of the Guests within. It is a truth, which we 
learn only with added years, and as the fruit of divine chastenings, 
that our wealth and our happiness come not from the outside, but 
are a heart possession, received only from the liberal hand of 
a spiritual experience, and that in proportion as we are stripped of 
visible comforts and joys, we grow rich in inward sources of joy, 
which more than compensate for these light and momentary afilic- 
tions. This statement may be ridiculed by the man of the world, 
and may excite surprise in the mind of childhood and youth, to 
whose joyous vision life is one long, cloudless summer's day, but 
there is a large family of tried and suffering children of the Father, 
who know the sweet value of sorrow by the richness of the fruitage 
which has followed the pruning, and who can whisper through 
the tears, " It was good for me that I was afflicted." 

What are these " Guests of the Heart," whose voices sound 
clearest when the voices of earth are hushed, and in whose com- 
panionship we find a solace and balm for disappointment and trial? 
Memory is one of them, and with this Guest we wander through 
all the paths of former years, and hold communion vv ith the friends 











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INTRODUCTION. 




of " auld lang syne," until at times we almost forget the Present 
with its shadows, as we live in the sunshine of the Past. Hope is 
another Guest, ever pointing to the brightness which comes after 
the storm— to the rest which will be sweeter after the weariness — 
to the reunion of loving hearts in the Home where links are never 
broken— since " no one ever goes out." And with Memory and 
Hope as Guests within — the face of the one turned backward to 
the joys that once were ours, the face of the other illumined with 
the glory of the joys of the near future, the paths we are treading 
grow less rough and dreary, and we begin to sing, even "in the 
night. " Peace is another Guest, and the deeper the waves of sor- 
row, the more precious does this Guest become. The ocean has 
its tempest-tossed billows, which seem mad in their fury, but only 
the ocean has its quiet depths far below the billows, and unruffled 
by the storm. The Christian's peace is not in the absence of 
waves of sorrow, but it is a profound calm which is experienced 
only under the waves. Aspiration is another Guest. When we 
walk in the sunshine of worldly prosperity, self-love too often 
absorbs our thoughts, and we are content with our earthly pos- 
sessions, thinking little of spiritual beauty and power. But sorrow 
turns the eye away from self, by robbing us of these possessions, 
and then out of the desolateness of our souls arise longings for a 
higher, grander soul-life, and we learn the rich meaning of the 
prayer, "Nearer, my God, to Thee! Nearer to Thee!" and thus, 
upon the rounds of our grief, we climb up toward the perfect stature 
of a complete sanctification. 

But of all the " Guests of the Heart," the chief, the most beau- 
tiful is Jesus, the heart's King, the Elder Brother. And sorrow 
reveals his preciousness, perfects His fellowship, makes His love a 
soft pillow and a rapturous joy. Surrounded by human friendship, 
satisfied with earthly riches, Jesus is only valued prospectively, for 
what He will he in death and in the Judgment. But when earthly 







INTRODUCTION, 




supports are taken away, and we lean Aard upon Him, then we 
know His sustaining strength. When in the silence of bereavement 
we cry, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth," then we know 
the richness of His comfort and the fulness of His grace. It was 
through the experience of the " loss of all things" that Paul grew 
up into the mighty passion of that cry of love, " That I may know 
I/im." And so God in every age has stripped His children of one 
earthly treasure after another, until the burdened heart has had 
"Jesus only " to rest upon, and then "Jesus only" has become 
the heart's passionate longing, to know whom the loss of all things 
has seemed a joyous privilege. In the fellowship of this divine 
Guest of the Heart, we shall find our Heaven begun below — a 
Heaven whose perfect bliss will be ours, when awaking in His 
likeness, we behold Him "face to face." Till then, we will covet 
the sorrows which bring Him closer to our hearts, and through 
whose chastening we grow up into His likeness. 

"Sweet, for they bring me closer 
To the dearest, truest Friend : 
Sweet, for He comes the nearer, 
As 'neath the cross I bend. 

"Sweet, for they are the channels 

Through which His teachings flow; 
Sweet, for by these dark secrets, 
His heart of love I know. " 



Abbott E. Kittredge. 






Contents. 



Guests of the Heart, 

Memories, 

Bread upon the Waters, 
Bridges, - - - 
A Thanksgiving, 
The Atheist, 



PAGE. 

13 

16 
21 

23 

LUCY LARCOM, 29 
WM. KNOX, 32 




"The Master is Come and Calleth for Thee," 

SUSAN COOLIDGE, 34 

The Crocus Cross, _--... 35 
"He Shall Drink of the Brook by the Way," 

SUSAN COOLIDGE, 39 

Self-Love, - - - - - - f. w. faber, 41 

Jesus Only, - - l. t., 43 

Lines Written in a Churchyard, - Herbert knowles, 44 
Yearning, ----.--..47 

Satisfied, 48 

There is no Death, - - . - lord lytton, 50 

Charity, - - - - - thomas n. talfourd, 55 





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CONTENTS. 




JAMES SnSSELL LOWELL, 



FLORENCE GEOVEE, 



The Chamber of Peace, 

After the Burial, 

Living "Waters, 

The Pilgrim, - 

Our Ships at Sea, 

Heaven by Littles, ------- 

Coming, - - - - mks. b. macandkew. 

Under the Shadow of the Almighty, millie colcoed. 
Time, - - „ - . heney kieke white, 

He is Risen, ■ - - hoeatius bonae, d. d., 

Even-Song, ... maegaeet e. sangstee, 

A Little Longer, - - - - maey b. dodge. 

Evening, - _ . eev. i. n. taebox, d. d., 

Trust, - » . . - JOHN G. WHITTIEE, 

Christian's Clock, ------- 



FAGE. 

56 



61 

65 
67 
70 
73 
74 
81 
83 
89 
91 
94 
96 
100 
102 



The Rose-Bud, - 

"Waiting, 

Lessons Sweet, - - - - 

The Hour of Death, 

Softly, . - . - 

The Father's Care for His Children, 

The Covered Bridge, 

The Lily of the Valley, 

Casting Anchors, - - - 

Nobody Knows but Jesus, Frances eidlet haveegal, 136 

"Cover Them Over," - . . will caeleton, 141 

The Secret of a Happy Day, feances eidlet haveegal. 143 



KEBLE, 107 

EEBECCA EUTEE SPEINGEE, 112 

KEBLE, 115 

MES. HEMANS, 120 

E. A. BAENES, 123 

KEBLE, 124 

DAVID BAEKEE, 128 

BISHOP MANT, 130 

- - 134 



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CONTENTS. 





PAGE. 

A Midnight Hymn, -..--.. 147 

Joy Cometh, - - 149 

Suffering and Joy, - - - - - - - 151 

Sometimes, - - - -- - - - 152 

Tell Me, Ye Winged Winds, - charles mackay, 155 

The Two Sunsets, - - - john g. whittier, 159 

Unspoken Prayer, - - Margaret j. preston, 163 

I Woul.l Have Gone, 165 

Grandfather's Pet, 166 

If and If, ... MARY AINGE DE VERB, 169 

The Dying Girl and Flowers, 170 

My Prayer, 173 

The Buried Flower, - - - wm. e. aytoune, 177 

Prayer, ----- charlotte elliott, 181 

"Babes Always," - 182 

Be Kind and Forgiving, ------ 189 

The Glorified, - - - - ray palmer, d. d,, 190 

Only, - - - - FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL, 193 

The Shepherd's Voice, 197 

The Vaudois Missionary, - - - - - 200 

Out of the Deeps, - - - - lttlu m. w., 203 

Lead, Kindly Light, ... - newman, 205 

At Dawm, ------ JOHN morgan, 206 

In the Fourth Watch of the Night, . . - 208 

The Sunlight, 211 

The Death of the Righteous, - - peabody, 215 

Rest, - - - - 217 

Passing, - - ALICE Williams brotherton, 218 










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CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

New Year's "Wishes, - francks kidlet havergal, 221 
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, - - - . 223 

I go to Life, - - - HORATins bonar, d. d., 226 

Old Age, 228 

The Guardian Angel, -_.... 233 

For Good or 111? 236 

Thy Will, - - - . E. norhan gunnison, 238 

Good-Night Wishes, ... thomas mackellar, 240 

Beyond, 242 

The Time for Prayer, ----.. 244 

Eock of Ages, ---.-.. 24G 

To the Comforter, - - horatius bonar, d. d., 251 

The E'en Brings a' Harae, - , - - - - 253 

The Bird Let Loose, --.... moore, 255 

Heaven at Last, - - horatius bonar, d. d., 25G 

Jesu, Still the Storm, - horatius bonar, d. d., 261 

The Grave, - . . . james Montgomery, 263 

The Tide, mary w. mclain, 266 

Trust in the Lord, - - - mrs. m. m. lyle, 270 

Death Anticipated, - - - ' - - - - 272 

To-Morrow, wm. knox, 274 

Time is Sliort, - - . hezekiah eutterworth, 276 
Homeward. h. m.. 280 





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Full-Page Illustrations. 



PAGE. 

lingering on the pathwat - - - . . ig 

landscape ---.._.. £8 

a comforter in sickness - . - . . 54 

"he is risen!" -...-._ 88 

tlowers and fruit ------- 106 

"cover THEM over!" ----__ 140 

LANDSCAPE ---- 158 

"O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE THY WORKS !" - 176 

AWAKE - -.._ 185 

THE GENTLE SHEPHERD ------ 196 

DEATH - - - - - - -'- . - 214 

THE GCARDIAN ANGEL, --.--_ 232 

THE TRUE COMFORTER .--.._ 250 

"peace, be still" - " - - - o . 260 






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Guests of the Heart. 



OFT falls through the gathering twilight 

The rain from the dripping eaves, 
And stirs with a tremulous rustle 

The dead and the dying leaves ; 
While afar, in the midst of the shadows, 

I hear the sweet voices of bells, 
Come borne on the wind of the Autumn 

That fitfully rises and swells. 

They call and they answer each other, 

They answer and mingle again, 
As the deep and the shrill in an anthem 

Make harmony still in their strain. 
As the voices of sentinels mingle 

In mountainous regions of snow. 
Till from hill-top to hill-top a chorus 

Floats down to the valleys below. 



'P^akt a jonful noise uuto tht Sforir, all i\^i eartj 
— Psa. xcviii, 4, 



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GUESTS OF THE HEART. 




The shadows, the fire- 
light of even, 

The sound of the rain's 
distant chime, 

Come bringing, with rain 
softly dropping. 

Sweet thoughts of a 
shadowy time ; 

The slumberous sense of 
seclusion, 

From storm and in- 
truders aloof, 

We feel when we hear in 
the midnight 

The patter of rain on 
the roof. 

When the spirit goes 

forth in its yearnings 
To take all its wanderers 

home ; 
Or, afar in the regions of 

fancy. 
Delights on swift pinions 

to roam, 





" f ct tljj flonbs tlap tijiir I^anbs : lit tlje Mils be joiiful together." 
— Psa. xcviii, 8. 




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GUESTS OF THE HEART. 




I quietly sit by the fire-light — 

The fire-light so bright and so warm — 

For I know that those only who love me 
Will seek me through shadow and storm. 

But should they be absent this evening, 

Should even the household depart, 
Deserted, I should not be lonely, 

There still would be guests in my heart. 
The faces of friends that I cherish, 

The smile, and the glance, and the tone, 
Will haunt me wherever I wander. 

And thus I am never alone. 

With those who have left far behind them 

The joys and the sorrows of time — 
Who sing the sweet songs of the angels 

In a purer and holier clime ! 
Then darkly, O evening of Autum 

Your rain and your shadows may fall 
My loved and my lost ones yuu bring me- 

My heart holds a feast with them all. 



"K^tre is a frunb- ll^Ht sticketl^ dastx tijan a brfllljtr. 
' — Prov. xviii, 24. 



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Memories. 



"HEN fall the evening shadows, long and deep, across the 
hill; 
When all the air is fragrance, and all the breezes still ; 



When the summer sun seems pausing above the mountain's brow, 
As if he left reluctantly a scene so lovely now ; 

Then I linger on the pathway, and I fondly gaze, and long. 
As if reading some old story those deep purple clouds among ; 

Then Memory approaches, holding up her magic glass, 
Pointing to familiar figures, which across the surface pass. 




"ITtt t^int «ges look rigl^t on, anb let tijinj ftttliirs IO0K etraigljt 
bdoxt t^££." — Prov. iv, 25. 

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MEMORIES. 19 






And often do I question, as I view that phantom ti^ain, 
Whether most with joy or sadness I behold them thus again. 

They are there, those scenes of beauty, where life's brightest hours 

have fled, 
And I haste, with dear companions, the old paths again to tread ; 

But, suddenly dissolving, all the loveliness is flown, 

And I find a thorny wilderness, where I must walk alone. 

Thou art there, so loved and honored, as in each former hour. 
When we read thine eyes deep meaning, when we heard thy words 
of power ; 

When our souls, as willing captives, have sought to follow thine, 
Tracing the eternal footsteps of Might and Love Divine. 

But o'er that cherished image falls a veil of clouds and gloom, 
And beside a bier I tremble, or I weep above a tomb. 

And ever will the question come, O Memory! again. 
Whether in thy magic mirror there is most of bliss or pain ? 

Would I not wish the brightness were for ever hid from view. 
If but those hours of darkness could be all forgotten too ? 



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anissx t^z pat^ 0f tijtt Ud, anh Id all t^jr bags bt jstablisljjtt." 

— Prov. iv, 26. -^ 






MEMORIES. 




Then, weary and desponding, my spirit seeks to rise 
Away from earthly conflicts, from mortal smiles or sighs. 

I do not think the blessed ones with Jesus have forgot 
The changing joys and sorrows which have marked their earthly 
lot; 

But now, on Memory's record their eyes can calmly dwell ; 
They can see, what here they trusted — God hath done all things 
well ; 

And vain regrets and longings are as old things passed away ; 
No shadows dim the sunshine of that bright eternal day ! 




"^ut tl^£ patb of iht just is as tbc sljining light, t|rnt sbinet^ moxt 
^ nnb moxt unta tlu perfect ban." — Prov. iv, i8. 

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Bread Upon the Waters. 



'ID the losses and the gains ; 

Mid the pleasures and the pains, 
And the hopings and the fears, 
And the restlessness of years, 
We repeat this promise o'er — 
We believe it more and more — 
Bread upon the waters cast 
Shall be gathered at the last. 

Gold and silver, like the sands. 
Will keep slipping through our hands 
Jewels, gleaming like a spark, 
Will be hidden in the dark ; 




"Cast ibn brtah ttjjoit tbc toatcrs: for tbou sl^rtlt finb it after mann 
baj3S." — Eccles. xi, i. 





BREAD UPON THE WATERS. 



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Sun and moon and stars will pale, 
But these words will never fail ; 
Bread upon the waters cast 
Shall be gathered at the last. 

Soon, like dust, to you and me, 
Will our earthly treasures be ; 
But the loving word and deed 
To another in his need, 
They will unforgotten be ! 
They will live eternally — 
Bread upon the waters cast 
Shall be gathered at the last. 

Fast the moments slip away, 
Soon our mortal powers decay, 
Low and lower sinks the sun, 
What we do must soon be done ; 
Then what rapture, if we hear 
Thousand voices ringing clear — 
Bread upon the waters cast 
Shall be gathered at the last. 




t t^at l^af^ pitn npon tfit poor Icnbtt!;) unto tl^e^oriJ; anh t^at 
failjic^ l^e ^at^ gibtn fcoiU 1)C pan Ijim again." — Prov. xix, 17. ^ 




Bridges. 



HAVE a bridge within my heart, 
Known as the Bridge of Sighs ; 

It stretches from life's sunny part, 
To where its darkness lies. 

And when upon this bridge I stand, 

To watch life's tide below, 
Sad thoughts come from the shadowy land 

And darken all its flow. 

Then, as it winds its way along 

To sorrow's bitter sea, 
Oh! mournful as the spirit-song 

That upward floats to me. 



Uns egt tritkUtlj irofon, anb trasttlj not, fett^out anjr 
intermission." — Lam. iii, 49. 






a^le) 








BRIDGES. 




A song which breathes of blessings dead, 
Of friends and friendships flown ; 

And pleasures gone ! — their distant tread, 
Now to an echo grown. 




And hearing thus, beleaguering fears 
Soon shut the present out, 

While joy but in the past appears. 
And in the future doubt. 



"®urn ll^ou us unto thtt, @ ^orir, anir toe s^rtll br turnelr; ttntbi 
^ anx bans as of oltr." — Lam. v, 21. ' ;i 

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Oh ! often then will deeper grow 
The night that round me lies ; 

I wish that life had run its flow, 
Or never found its rise ! 

I have a bridge within my heart, 
Known as the Bridge of Faith ; 

It spans, by a mysterious art. 
The streams of life and death. 

And when upon this bridge I stand. 

To watch the tide below, 
Sweet thoughts come from the sunny land 

And brighten all its flow. 

Then, as it winds its way along 

Down to a distant sea. 
Oh ! pleasant is the spirit-song 

That upward floats to me. 

A song of blessings never sere. 

Of love "beyond compare," 
Of pleasures flowed from troublings here 

To rise serenely there. 



"Slje ^orb is mff portion, m\t\) mir soul; tl^txdaxt bill | Ijope in i 
^im." — Lam. iii, 24. ^ 




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BRIDGES. 



And, hearing thus, a peace divine 
Soon shuts each sorrow out ; 

And all is hopeful and benign, 
Where all was fear and doubt. 

Oh ! often then will brighter grow 
The light that round me lies, 

I see from life's beclouded flow 
A crystal stream arise. 





^orb, tljon Ijust ^Icabcfe tl^c causes of mn soul; tI)ou ^ast 
rtbcrmrb mn life." — Lam. iii, 58. 



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A Thanksgiving. 



'f!l70R the wealth of pathless forests, 
Whereon no axe may fall ; 
^j,^ For the winds that haunt the branches ; 
The young bird's timid call ; 
For the red leaves dropped like rubies 

Upon the dark green sod ; 

For the waving of the forests, 

I thank Thee, O my God ! 

For the sound of water gushing 

In bubbling beads of light ; 
For the fleets of snow-white lilies 

Firm anchored out of sight ; 
For the reeds among the eddies ; 

The crystal on the clod ; 
For the flowing of the rivers, 

I thank Thee, O my God ! 



"|t is a goob tbing to gibe thanks nnto tin ^orir, aub to sing praisis 
unto tbi) name, # Iftost ^igb." — Psa. xcii, i. 



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A THANKSGIVING. 



For the rosebud's break of beauty 

Along the toiler's way ; 
For the violet's eye that opens 

To bless the new-born day ; 
For the bare twigs that in summer 

Bloom like the prophet's rod ; 
For the blossoming of flowers, 

I thank Thee, O my God! 

For the lifting up of mountains, 
In brightness and in dread ; 

For the peaks where snow and sunshine 
Alone have dared to tread ; 

For the dark of silent gorges, 
Whence mighty cedars nod ; 

For the majesty of mountains, 

I thank Thee, O my God ! 

For the splendor of the sunsets. 

Vast mirrored on the sea ; 
For the gold-fringed clouds that curtain 

Heaven's inner mystery ; 
For the molten bars of twilight. 

Where thought leans glad yet awed ; 
For the glory of the sunsets, 

I thank Thee, O my God ! 





"(Sibing lljanks nlfeians for all tilings unta^oij anh tl^t Jatlj^r in t^£ 
namt of our I'ortr |csus Cl^rist." — Eph. v, 20. 




For the earth and all its beauty ; 

The sky and all its light ; 
For the dim and soothing shadows, 

That rest the dazzled sight ; 
For unfading fields and prairies, 

Where sense iu vain has trod ; 
For the world's exhaustless beauty, 

1 thank Thee, O my God ! 

For an eye of inward seeing ; 

A soul to know and love ; 
For these common aspirations. 

That our high heirship prove ; 
For the hearts that bless each other 

Beneath Thy smile, Thy rod ; 
For the amaranth saved from Eden, 

I thank Thee, O my God ! 

For the hidden scroll, o'erwritten 

With one dear name adored ; 
For the Heavenly in the human, — 

The spirit in the Word ; 
For the tokens of Thy presence 

Within, above, abroad ; 
For thine own great gift of Being 

I thank Thee, O my God ! — 



-LUCY LA.RCOM. 



"Jrt ebern thing gibe tijanks : for tijis is tbc bjtll of (Soir in Christ i 

^csas toncsrning gou." — Thes. v, i8. A 

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The Atheist. 



HE fool hath said " There is no God!" 

No God ! — Who lights the morning sun, 
And sends him on his heavenly road, 

A far and brilliant course to run ? 

Who, when the radiant day is done, 
Hangs forth the moon's nocturnal lamp, 

And bids the planets, one by one. 
Steal o'er the night vales, dark and damp ? 

No God ! — Who gives the evening dew. 

The fanning breeze, the fostering shower ? 
Who warms the spring-morn's budding bough, 

And plants the summer's noontide flower ? 

Who spreads in the autumnal bower 
The fruit tree's mellow stores around, 

And sends the winter's icy power, 
To invigorate the exhausted ground ? 




^e fool ^atl^ saiij in I^is ^sHrt, STI^tri is no 
— Psa. xiv, I. 




THE ATHEIST. 




No God ! — Who makes the bird to wing 

Its flight hke arrow through the sky, 
And gives the deer its power to spring 

From rock to rock triumphantly ? 

Who formed Behemoth, huge and high, 
That at a draught the river drains. 

And great Leviathan to He, 
Like floating isle, on ocean plains ? 

No God! — Who warms the heart to heave 
With thousand feelings soft and sweet, 

And prompts the aspiring soul to leave 
The earth we tread beneath our feet. 
And soar away on pinions fleet 

Beyond the scenes of mortal strife, 
With fair ethereal forms to meet, 

That tell us of the after life ? 



No God ! — Who fixed the solid ground 

Of pillars strong, that alter not ? 
Who spread the curtained skies around ? 

Who doth the ocean bounds allot ? 

Who all things to perfection brought 
On earth below, in heaven above ? 

Go ask the fool, of impious thought. 
Who dares to say, "There is no God! " 



-WM. KNOX. 



"I knotu t^at t^ou canst bo sbcrntl^ing, antt tl^at no t\pv 
ioit^^olbtn from tijti." — Job xlii, 2. 



tan bt 






" The Master is Come and Callethfor Thee." 



rOT only once he comes, 

In that dim hour when, life and death between, 
Floats the half liberated soul, while far 
And faint the nearer lamps and voices grow. 
And farther, fainter, i-ather guessed than seen, 
Glimmers the light of heaven like glimmering star. 
And sounds the summons which the dying know 
To be his voice whom spirits all obey ; — 
Not only then, dear Lord, but every day. 

Yes, every day he comes ! 
Not in the earthly form that once he bore. 
Nor in the glorious shape which now he wears ; 
In mean attire, and toil-worn, painful guise. 
He stands and calls beside our path, our door ; 




^j gtasttr is taxat, nnb calUtlj for i\tt. 
— Jno. xi, 28. 







" THE MASTER IS COME AND CALLETH FOR THEE. 




Weary and spent he comes, his wound he bares, 
And bends on us his deep appealing eyes, 
Which voiceless, find a voice, and speak and say, 
" 'Tis I who call thee, child ; wilt thou obey ? " 

In various shapes he comes ; 
When life grows difficult, and cares wax strong, 
And pain and patience prove too hard a load, 
And grief makes sorrowful the fairest noon. 
And sorrows press and crowd, an armed throng. 
And fierce temptations lurk along the road, 
And day is hot, and night falls all too soon, — 
Still in these grievous things himself we see, 
And puzzled, trustful murmur, "It is he!" 

Be glad because he comes ! 
That his blest visits are of every day, 
To sweeten toil, to give that toil reward : 
And when the snmmons soundeth clear and low, 
Let us rebuke our lagging souls, and say, 
" It is — oh, wondrous thought ! — it is the Lord 
Who deigns to claim thy help and service so ! 
Be quick, my soul, nor mar thy high estate ; 
Thy Lord and Master calls, let him not wait." 



— SUSAN COOLIDGE. 




"^kssjb uxt those strfaants fabom tlje lorb febEu Ije comtt\^ s^all 
finil toattljtng." — Luke xii, 37. 





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The Crocus Cross. 



HEN light the purple crocus springs, 
And lifts to heaven its shining head, 
My spirit on the morning's wings 
Seeks the far city of the dead, 
Where kindred blossoms rise, I know, 
Over the sleeping dust below. 

I mind me of the winter day, 

The sunny sky, the grave new made. 

The cross trac'd on the yielding clay. 
The tear-wet bulbs within it laid : 

Dark and unlovely to our eyes. 

Not like the beauty that should rise. 



"I anx pfilktth btxia ranch: quicken mt, © i'orb, attoriring unto 

lljtt fooriJ." — Psa. cxix, 107. ?! 

^\ I jcM 








THE CROCUS CROSS. 



37 



Safe planted from the storm and 

cold, 
We left them waiting for the 

hour 
When wintry days should all be 

told, 
And spring awake the perfect 

flower ; 
The glorious form that should 

appear 
From the dull roots we buried 

there. 



Not for a careless eye to see, 

That mystic cryptogram was 

set ; 
A mute appeal, our God, to 

Thee, 
A prayer that Thou wilt not 

forget, 
Beneath that shadowed cross there 

lies 
Somewhat of Thine that must 





jg t^at irust in the ^orb s^II be as mount ^ion, fnl^idj rannot 
be remabeit, but abibetl^ for tbtr." — Psa. cxxv, i. ^ 



^^ 








(3;.© 



88 




THE CROCUS CROSS. 



And hast not Thou, with loving thought, 
Even in these flowers set Thy sign. 

That so our grieving hearts be taught 
Thy resurrection's truth divine, 

Each spring repeating to our eyes, 

Thy word of comfort, " He shall rise?" 

Then let us rest in simple faith. 

On the sure promise Thou hast given : 

We know that Thou hast conquered death. 
We know Thou rulest earth and Heaven, 

Fixed on Thy truth our hopes remain. 

We know that "He shall rise again." 




jB Brotljer sI^hU rist apiix. 
— Jno. xi, 23. 



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''He Shall Drink of the Brook in the Way." 



HE way is hot, the way is long, 
'Tis weary hours to even-song, 

And we must travel though we tire ; 
But all the time beside the road 
Trickle the small, clear rills of God, 
At hand for our desire. 

Quick mercies, small amenities, 
Brief moments of repose and ease, 

We stoop, and drink, and so fare on, 
Unpausing, but re-nerved in strength 
From hour to hour, until at length 

Night falleth, and the day is done. 




"^s sljall brink of \\z brook in i^z fean. 
— Psa. ex, 7. 




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" 40 " HE SHALL DRINK OF THE BROOK IN THE WAY." 



.^^ 



<v>;> 




The birds sip of the wayside rill, 
And raise their heads in praises, still 

Upborne upon their flashing wings : 
So drinking thus along the way, 
Our little meed of thanks we pay 

To Him who fills the water springs, 

And deals with equal tenderness 
The larger mercies and the less : 

" O Lord, of good the fountain free, 
Close by our hard day's journeying 
Be thou the all-sufficing spring, 

And hourly let us drink of thee " 



— SUSAN COOLIDGE. 




j{ anw man tl^irst, Itt bim comt ixnia mt, anb irrinh." 
— Jno. vii, 37. 






Self-love. 



;H, I could go through all life's troubles singing, 
Turning earth's night to day, 
If self were not so fast around me, clinging 
To all I do or say. 

My very thoughts are selfish, always building 

Mean castles in the air ; 
I use my love for others for a gilding 

To make myself look fair. 

I fancy all the world engrossed with judging 

My merit or my blame ; 
Its warmest praise seems an ungracious grudging 

Of praise which I might claim. 



^^ 



^on«^aIt lofac t^n ntigl^bor as tljDSiIf." 
— Matt, xxii, 39. 




In youth, or age, by city, wood, or mountain, 

Self is forgotten never ; 
Where'er we tread, it gushes like a fountain, 

Its waters flow forever. 

O miserable omnipresence, stretching 

Over all time and space, 
How have I run from thee, yet found thee reaching 

The goal in every race. 

Inevitable self! vile imitation 

Of universal light, — 
Within our hearts a dreadful usurpation 

Of God's exclusive right ! 

— F. W. FABER. 





"ginJj taljosoEtjjr sl^all nM ^imstli s^all bt abastb-; anb I^j tl^at 
gl^all l^ttmbU Ijimsjif sljall be eiealtfb." — Matt, xxiii, 12. 



^^ 




Jesus Only. 



;H, Jesus! on the mountain 

Beside Thee I would stand, 
Drink from no other fountain, 

Feed from no other hand. 
Gaze on no other glory, 

Lean on no other breast. 
Thus, thus would I adore Thee, 

My Everlasting Rest ! 



My Lord ! Thy beauty seemeth 

So fair, so passing fair, 
I stand like one who dreameth. 

With Thee transfigured there! 
Keep me, all else forgetting. 

Still standing at Thy side. 
Upon Thy holy mountain, 

"Whatever may betide. 



— L. T. IN 



■WORD AND WORK. 



"^ am i\jR tuaj, tlje tnttlj, anb t^t life : na man tomttlj unto tljt 
J^atijcr, but bo ntJC." — Jno. xiv, 6. 

)w — I 





m 



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Lines Written in a Churchyard. 



'ETHINKS it is good to be here; 
If thou wilt, let us build — but for whom ? 

Nor Ellas nor Moses appear ; 
But the shadows of eve that encompass with gloom 
The abode of the dead and the place of the tomb. 

Shall we build to Ambition ? Ah no ! 
Affrighted he shrinketh away ; 

For see, they would pen him below 
In a small narrow cave and begirt with cold clay, 
To the meanest of reptiles a peer and a prey. 

To Beauty ? Ah no ! she forgets 
The charms which she wielded before ; 

Nor knows the foul worm that he frets 
The skin which but yesterday fools could adore, 
For the smoothness it held, or the tint which it wore. 




" Jt is £oob for us ia hz \}txt: itnb let as mnlu t^rre tabernaclts; ant 
for tijtj, anir ant for ^tosts, antr ant for filtas." — Mark ix, 5. 




Shall we build to the purple of pride ? 
To the trappings which dizen the proud ? 

Alas ! they are all laid aside, 
And here's neither dress nor adornment allowed, 
But the long winding-sheet, and the fringe of the shroud. 



To Riches? Alas, 'tis in vain! 
Who hid, in their turns have been hid : 

The treasures are squandered again ; 
And here in the grave are all metals forbid. 
But the tinsel that shines on the dark coffin-lid. 



To the pleasures which Mirth can afford, 
The revel, the laugh, and the jeer ? 

Ah! here is a plentiful board! 
But the guests are all mute as their pitiful cheer. 
And none but the worm is a reveler here. 



Shall we build to Affection and Love ? 
Ah no ! they have withered and died. 

Or fled with the spirit above, 
Friends, brothers, and sisters are laid side by side. 
Yet none have saluted, and none have replied. 



"^ ^abf scEit all t^e foorks that ntt tsantnnhzi tin sun: anh, bebolb 
all is banitB anij btiatioit of S})irit." — Eccles. i, 14. 



— "^ 





LINES WRITTEN IN A CHURCHYARD. 




Unto Sorrow ? — the dead cannot grieve ; 
Not a sob, not a sigh meets mine ear, 

Which compassion itself could relieve, 
Ah, svvreetly they slumber, nor love, hope, or fear ; 
Peace, peace is the watchwford, the only one here. 

Unto Death, to whom monarchs must bow ? 
Ah no ! for his empire is known, 

And here there are trophies enow ! 
Beneath, the cold dead, and around, the dark stone, 
Are the signs of a sceptre that none may disown. 

The first tabernacle to Hope we will build, 
And look for the sleepers around us to rise ; 

The second to Faith, that insures it fulfilled ; 
And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, 
"Who bequeathed us them both when he rose to the skies. 

— HERBERT KNOWLES. 




j^"Sr|rat raistb ^im up from tijf bcair, Hub gabc I^im glorp; tl)at jjour 
futt^ anb ^op£ might bt in (Sot)." — i Peter, i, 21. 

^i ^ ^ ^(^ 



^!le) 





Yearning. 



N thy closet daily hiding, 

Talk with God ; 
He will take away the chiding 

And the rod. 
And in the place of sore distress 
Build thy life in holiness. 

One star lifts above another 

Towards His light ; 
One ray other rays shall gather 

In its flight ; 
And ere long thy peace shall be 
Sure as His who leadeth thee. 




"I slrttt^ fort^ m» ^ani>s unto i\tt: mg soul l^irattl^ afltr i\tt, as 
a l^irstu lanb." — Psa. cxliii, 6. 



^m 




3 ^ 



^ 



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"X/ 




Satisfied. 



rOT here ! not here ! not where the sparkling waters 
Fade into mocking sounds as we draw near ; 
Where in the wilderness each footstep falters ; 
I shall be satisfied — but O, not here ! 

Not here, where all our dreams of bliss deceive us, 
Where the worn spirit never gains its goal ; 

Where, haunted ever by the thoughts that grieve us, 
Across us floods of bitter memory roll. 

There is a land where every pulse is thrilling 

With rapture, earth's sojourners may not know ; 

Where heaven's repose the weary heart is stilling. 
And peacefully life's time-crossed currents flow. 



"H lobe llj£ ^orb, because I)j I^hIIj l^ezttt im bout unts im 
supplications." — Psa. cxvi, i. 



± 



SATISFIED. 




Far out of sight, while mortal robes enfold us, 
Lies the fair country where our hearts abide ; 

And of its bliss is naught more wondrous told us 
Than those few words, " I shall be satisfied." 

What ! truly satisfied ! The soul's vague longing, 
The aching void which nothing earthly fills ? 

O, what desires upon my soul are thronging 
As I look upward to the heavenly hills ! 

Thither my weak and weary steps are tending ; 

Saviour and Lord, with thy frail child abide ! 
Guide me toward home, where all my wanderings ending, 

I then shall see thee and "be satisfied." 




"®^er£ t\t feikhftr az&t from troubling ; nnb tl^ere tlje fetarg be at 
rjst." — Job iii, 17. 

2\\ 





There is no Death. 



HERE is no death! The stars go down 
To rise upon some fairer shore : 
And bright in Heaven's jewelled crown 
They shine forever more. 

There is no death ! The dust we tread 
Shall change beneath the summer showers 

To golden grain or mellowed fruit, 
Or rainbow-tinted flowers. 

The granite rocks disorganize, 

And feed the hungry moss they bear ; 

The forest leaves drink daily life. 
From out the viewless air. 



"<4for if be btlitiiE tl^at ftsus bitb a:ni> rose Hgaiii, rfaiit so t^tm also 
ic^ eltep in |tgus toill <6ob bring fait^ feim." — Thes. iv, 14. 





^»-l* 



a/s© 



THERE IS NO DEATH. 



There is no death ! The leaves may fall, 
And flowers may fade and pass away ; 

They only wait through wintry hours, 
The coming of the May. 

There is no death ! An angel form 

Walks o'er the earth with silent tread ; 

He bears our best loved things away ; 
And then we call them "dead." 

He leaves our hearts all desolate, 

He plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers ; 

Transplanted into bliss, they now 
Adorn immortal bowers. 

The bird-like voice, whose joyous tones 
Made glad these scenes of sin and strife. 

Sings now an everlasting song, 
Around the tree of life. 

Where'er he sees a smile too bright. 
Or heart too pure for taint and vice. 

He bears it to that world of light. 
To dwell in Paradise. 



.?^. 



"(^or to ntJ to libc is Christ, anb to 'ii'it is gain. 
—Phil, i, 21. 



^^ 



vs: 



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^^s.^ 




THERE IS NO DEATH. 




Born unto that undying life, 

They leave us but to come again ; 

With joy we welcome them the same, — 
(Bxttftt their sin and pain. 

And ever near us, though unseen. 
The dear immortal spirits tread ; 

For all the boundless universe 
Is life — t\^ttt art no btalr. 



—LORD LYTTON. 




e t^ou faithful unto btatlj, ant> f foill gibj tbee a trobit of life." 
— Rev. ii, lo. 







Charity. 



HE blessings which the weak and poor can scatter 
Have their own season. 'T is a little thing 
To give a cup of water ; yet its draught 
Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips, 
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame 
More exquisite than when nectarean juice 
Renews the life of joy in happiest hours. 
It is a little thing to speak a phrase 
Of common comfort, which, by daily use. 
Has almost lost its sense ; yet on the ear 
Of him who thought to die unmourned, 't will fall 
Like choicest music ; fill the glazing eye 
With gentle tears ; relax the knotted hand 
To know the bonds of fellowship again, — 
And shed on the departing soul a sense 
More precious than the benison of friends 
About the honored death-bed of the rich, — 
To him who else were lonely, that another 
Of the great family is near, and feels. 

— THOMAS N. TALFOURD. 




aritg safftretl) long, Hub is hinb; rl^aritn cufaictlj not; tljartttr 
fjiTunlttl; not itself, is not jjuffjb ujj." — i Cor. xiii, 4. 



^^ 



ys^ 






The Chamber of Peace. 



"S:^£ pilgrim t^e^ latb in a large upper t^amber, fating tl^e sun- 
rising. S^E name of t^e t^amber (xras '^eace." — Bunyan's Pilgrim's 
Progress 

FTER the burden and heat of the day, 
jTxiv- The starry calm of night ; 

After the rough and toilsome way, 
A sleep in the robe of white. 

O blessed Pilgrim ! we see thy face 

As an angel's face might seem. 
For, lying pale in that shadowy place. 

Thou dreamest a golden dream. 

The stars are watching the sleeping saint, 

And lighting the sleeping brow ; 
But the light of the stars is cold and faint 

To the glory he dreameth now : 



Jor ^e foill speak peace unto ^is people, anb to Ijis saints." 
— Psa. Ixxxv, 8. 





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ais© 



^Hf* 



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^^ 



THE CHAMBER OF PEACE. 




For the things that are hid from waking eyes 

Shine clear to the veiled sight ; 
From the chamber dim where the Pilgrim lies 

We can watch the fountains of light. 

The journey is over, the fight is fought, 
He hath seen the Home of his love ; 

And the smile on the dreamer's face is caught 
From the land of smiles above. 

We also have sometimes lain asleep 

In the blessed Chamber of Peace ; 
Too weary to wrestle, or watch, or weep, 

For a while the struggle must cease — 

We give thanks for the weakness that makes us lie 

So helpless and calm for a while ; 
The roar of the battle goes hoarsely by, 

And we hear it, in dreams, with a smile. 

Oh, sweet is the slumber wherewith the King 

Hath caused the weary to rest ! 
For, sleeping, we hear the angels sin 

We lean on the Master's breast. 



()t ITorbf foill bless Ijis peopU faiitlj ptau." 
— Psa. xxix, n. 



.ai 







r^s: 




THE CHAMBER OF PEACE. 




Thou hast another Chamber, dear Lord, — 

The secret place of peace, 
Where Thy precious ones are safely stored, 

When their weary wanderings cease : 

After the burden and heat of the day, 

The starry calm of night ; 
After the rough and toilsome way, 

A sleep in the robe of white. 

The sacred Chamber is still and wide, 

You listen in vain for a breath ; 
And pale lie the sleepers, side by side, 

In the cold moonlight of death. 

No sighs are heard in the shadowy place, 
No voices of them that weep ; 

They have fought the fight, and finished the race- 
God giveth them rest in sleep. 

Are they dreaming, the sleepers pale and still ? 

For their faces are rapt and calm, 
As though they were treading the Holy Hill, 

And hearkening the angels' psalm : 




"^ulj lljc peace of (Soi>, fa^itlj jms.?etb nil nnberstaitbing, sball 
nonr l^earts antr minirs tbrougl^ Cl^rist ^estis." — Phil, iv, 7. 




^r) 



GbJs) 



Ji 

{A 



THE CHAMBER OF PEACE. 



The things that were hid from waking eyes 

Shine clear to the veiled sight ; 
In the last deep sleep the Pilgrims rise, 

To walk on the shores of Light. 

Oh, sweet is the slumber wherewith the King 

Hath caused the weary to rest ! 
For, sleeping, they hear the angels sing, 

They lean on the Master's breast. 

And sweet is the Chamber, silent and wide, 

Where lingers the holy smile 
Of a wayfaring Man, who turned aside 

To rest, long ago, for a while : 

He had suffered a sorrow which none may tell, 
He had purchased a Gift unpriced ; 

When his work was over the moonlight fell 
On the sleeping face of Christ : 

The face of a Victor, dead and crowned, 

With a smile divinely fair ; 
The saints and martyrs sleeping around 

Were stirred as He entered there : 




"ginJj i^z grabfs intie npciub: anir manij bobics of t^£ saints iobic^ 
slrpt arose." — Matt, xxvii, 52. 

^i /^ 




His very Name is as ointment poured 

On the moonlight pale to-night ; 
And the Chamber is sweet to Thy servants, Lord, 

For the scent of Thy raiment white. 

The silent Chamber faceth the east, 

Faceth the dawn of the day, 
And the shining feet of our great High Priest 

Shall break through the shadows gray. 

The golden dawn of the Day of God 

Shall smite on the sealed eyes ; 
The trumpet's sound shall thunder around, 

The dreamers shall wake and rise. 

The night is over, the sleep is slept, 
They are called from the shadowy place ; 

The Pilgrims stand in the glorious land, 
And gaze on the Master's face. 






s^all enttt into ptacc: t])tv shall rest in tbctr bcbs, tac^ one 



faitllung in Iiis nijrtgljtness." — Isa. Ivii, 2. 





After the Burial." 



I ES, faith is a goodly anchor, 

Where skies are as sweet as a psalm, 
At the bows it lolls so stalwart. 
In bluff broad-shouldered calm. 

A-.d when o'er breakers to leeward 
The scattered surges are hurled, 

It may keep our head to the tempest, 
With its grip on the base of the world. 

But after the shipwreck, tell me 

What help in its iron thews. 
Still true to the broken hawser. 

Deep down among sea-weed and ooze ? 



"^ut 1 tooulb not bafae nou to be ignor.xnt roitctnxtng tbcm bjlnc^arc 
^ asUep, tijat gj sorrob not, as otl^jrs babing no Ijopj." — i Thes. iv, 13. 

^^ - . \ _.._ ^^ 




^'^ 





AFTER THE BURIAL. 






In the breaking gulfs of sorrow, 
When the helpless feet stretch out, 

And you find in the deeps of darkness 
No footing so solid as doubt — 

Then better one spar of memory ; 

One broken plank of the past — 
That our poor hearts may cling to, 

Tho' hopeless of shore at last. 

To the spirit its splendid conjectures, 
To the heart its sweet despair, 

Its tears on the thin worn locket. 
With its beauty of deathless hair. 

Immortal ! I feel it, and know it ; 

Who doubts it of such as she! 
But that's the pang's very secret — 

Immortal away from me. 

There is a little ridge in the church-yard, 
'Twould scarce stay a child in its race. 

But to me and my thoughts 'tis wider 
Than the star-sown vague of space. 




" tjibt not tbn fare from mc itt tbc ban tul^cn f am in trouble; incHitt i 
{\]\\n rur unto mt." — Psa. cii, 2. A 

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AFTER THE BURIAL. 




Your logic, my friend, is perfect ; 

Your moral most drearily true ; 
But the earth that stops my darling's ears, 

Makes mine insensate, too. 




Console if you will, I can bear it, 
'Tis a well-meant alms of breath ; 

But not all the preaching since Adam 
Has made death other than death. 



"^tt, I prnn i\}te, tbtt mtrciful ktnirnMS he for mn romfort, 
arcorbing to tbn iDorb unto tljB strbant." — Psa. cxix, 76. 



i 



^■^ 



^ 



■^Soi 



W 



Communion in spirit ! Forgive me, 

But I who am sickly and weak 
Would give all my income from dreamland 

For her rose-leaf palm on my cheek. 

That little shoe in the corner, 

So worn and wrinkled and brown, 
Its motionless hollow confronts you, 

And argues your wisdom down. 

— ^JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, 

(After the burial of his little daughter.) 




fn t^c bag of mn trouble ^ songbt i^t ^orb." 
— Psa. Ixxvii, 2. 









Living Waters. 



^N some wild Eastern legend the story has been told 
Of a fair and wondrous fountain, that flowed in times of old ; 

[ Cold and crystalline its waters, brightly glancing in the ray 
Of the summer moon at midnight, or the sun at height of day. 



And a good angel, resting there, once in a favored hour 

Infused into the limpid depths a strange mysterious power ; 

A hidden principle of life, to rise and gush again. 

Where but some drops were scattered on the dry and barren plain. 

So the traveler might journey, not now in fear and haste. 
Far through the mountain-desert, far o'er the sandy waste, 
If but he sought this fountain first, and from its wondrous store 
The secret of unfailing springs along with him he bore. 

Wild and fanciful the legend — yet may not meanings high, 
Visions of better things to come, within its shadow lie ? 
Type of a better fountain, to mortals now unsealed. 
The full and free salvation in Christ our Lord revealed ? 




" J^or t^e ^amb farl^irlj is in iht mitrst of tl^t tbront sljall fccb tijcm, j 
anb sJ^all Itab t^tm unto libtng fountains of faattrs." — Rev. vii, 17. ^ 





LIVING WATERS. 




Beneath the Cross those waters rise, and he who finds them there 
All through the wilderness of life the living stream may bear ; 
And blessings follow in his steps, until where'er he goes, 
The moral wastes begin to bud and blossom as the rose. 

Ho! every one that thirsteth, come to this fountain side! 

Drink freely of its waters, drink, and be satisfied ! 

Yet linger not, but hasten on, and bear to all around 

Glad tidings of the love, and peace, and mercy thou hast found ! 

To Afric's pathless deserts, to Greenland's frozen shore — 
Where din of mighty cities sounds, or savage monsters roar — 
Wherever man may wander with his heritage of woe. 
To tell of brighter things above, go, brothers, gladly go ! 

Then, as of old in vision seen before the prophet's eyes, 
Broader and deeper on its course the stream of life shall rise ; 
And everywhere, as on it flows, shall carry light and love. 
Peace and good-will to man on earth, glory to God above ! 



"Po, ^jrjj oni tljat tbirstctb, comt nc to tbc faatcrs. 
— Isa. Iv, I. 






The Pilgrim. 



'TILL onward through this land of foes 

I pass in Pilgrim guise ; 
I may not stop to seek repose 

Where cool the shadow lies ; 
I may not stoop amid the grass 

To pluck earth's fairest flowers, 
Nor by her springing fountains pass 

The sultry noontide hours ; 

Yet flowers I wear upon my breast 

That no earth-garden knows — 
White lilies of immortal peace, 

And love's deep-tinted rose ; 
And there the blue-eyed flowers of faith, 

And hope's bright buds of gold, 
\s lone I tread the upward path. 

In richest hues unfold. 



"S^tu art not of t^t foorlir, tbtn as ^ am not of t\t bsttlb." 
— Jno. xvii, 1 6. 



H-.^ 







THE PILGRIM. 



C^>> 



-*-^ 






I keep my armor ever on, 

For foes beset my way ; 
I watch, lest passing on alone 

I fall a helpless prey. 
No earthly love have I — I lean 

Upon no mortal breast ; 
But my Beloved, though unseen, 

Walks near and gives me rest. 

Afar, around, I often see, 

Throughout this desert wide. 
His Pilgrims pressing on like me — 

They often pass my side ; 
The kindly smile, the gentle word, 

For Jesus' sake I give ; 
But love — O Thou alone adored! 

For Thee alone I live. 

Painful and dark the pathway seems 

To distant earthly eyes ; 
They only see the hedging thorns 

On either side that rise ; 
They can not know how soft between 

The flowers of love are strewn — 
The sunny ways, the pastures green, 

Where Jesus leads His own ; 



" ^ates babs holts, anir birbs of ll^e air ^abe nests ; but t\}t Son of 
^Xan Ijatlj not ioljtrt to lag I)is |)£ab." — Luke ix, 58. 




r^s> 



THE PILGRIM. 




They cannot see, as darkening clouds 

Behind the Pilgium close, 
How far adown the western glade 

The golden glory flows ; 
They cannot hear 'mid earthly din 

The song to Pilgrims known, 
Still blending with the angels' hymn 

Around the wondrous throne. 

So I, Thy bounteous token-flowers 

Still on my bosom wear ; 
While me, the fleeting love-winged hours 

To Thee still nearer bear ; 
So from my lips Thy song shall flow, 

My sweetest music be ; 
So on mine eyes the glory grow, 

Till all is lost in Thee. 




'%ni 



josotbtr trotlj not bear Ina tross, anit camz after me, taniiot 

be mn btsciplc." — Luke xiv, 27. ^ 





Our Ships at Sea. 



OW many of us have ships at sea, 

Freighted with wishes and hopes and fears, 
Tossing about on the waves, while we 

Linger and wait on the shore for years, 
Gazing afar through the distance dim 

And sighing, will ever our ships come in ? 

We sent them away with laughter and song. 
The decks were white and the sails were new, 

The fragrant breezes bore them along, 
The sea was calm and the skies were blue. 

And we thought as we watched them sail away 

Of the joy they would bring us some future day. 






"Jt is goob t^at a matt s^oulb bollj ^opt vinb qaittljj bait forl^t 
salbation of tijt ^orI>." — Lam. iii, 26. 







^, 



OUR SHIPS AT SEA. 



71 1 




Long have we watched beside the shore 
To catch the gleam of a commg sail, 



1% 






"<#t3r not, nor bt bismantb; b« strong anb of goob touragt." 

—Josh. X, 2$. > 

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p 72 



OUR SHIPS AT SEA. 




But we only hear the breakers' roar 

Or the sweepmg night wind's dismal wail, 
Till our cheeks grow pale, and our eyes grow dim, 
And we sadly sigh, will they ever come in ? 

Oh ! poor sad heart with its burden of cares, 

Its aims defeated, its worthless life 
That has garnered only the thorns and the tares 

That is seared and torn in the pitiful strife, 
Afar on the heavenly golden shore 
Thy ships are anchored forever more. 

FLORENCE GROVER. 




"§U3se5j is tiji man ll^at trustttlj in tljc |^ori>, anij ixs^ast l^op* t^e 

^0rb is." — Jer. xvii, 7. ^ 



iT^r" 




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^ 



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Heaven by Littles. 



fEAVEN is not reached by a single bound ; 
But we build the ladder, by which we rise 
From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, 
^^ And we mount to its summit round by round. 

I count these things to be grandly true! 
That a noble deed is a step toward God — 
Lifting the soul from the common sod 

To a purer air and a broader view. 

We rise by the things that are under our feet ; 
By what we have mastered of greed and gain, 
By the pride deposed, and the passion slai.i. 

And the vanquished ill that we hourly meet. 



"^e hiniilj) affettiontir am to another toitlj brot^erln labt. 
— Rom. xii, lo. 



/^ 



a; 




Coming. 



\T may be in the evening, 

When the work of the day is done, 
H And you have time to sit in the twilight 

And watch the sinking sun, 
While the long bright day dies slowly 

Over the sea, 
And the hour grows quiet and holy 

With thoughts of me ; 
While you hear the village children 

Passing along the street, 
Among those thronging footsteps 

May come the sound of my feet 
Therefore I tell you : Watch 

By the light of the evening star, 
When the room is growing dusky 

As the clouds afar ; 




gt i\tititstt : for gt knofo not tr^tn i\t masttr of i\t \axx&t 
lomtt^." — Mark xiii, 35. 



il 



«S-^ 



■^C3^ 



.1^ 



COMING. 




Let the door be on the latch 

In your home, 
For it may be through the gloaming 

I will come. 

"It may be when the midnight 

Is heavy upon the land, 
And the black waves lying dumbly 

Along the sand ; 
When the moonless night draws close, 
And the lights are out in the house ; 
When the fires burn low and red, 
And the watch is ticking loudly 

Beside the bed ; 
Though you sleep, tired out, on your couch, 
Still your heart must wake and watch 

In the dark room, 
For it may be that at midnight 

I will come. 



"It may be at the cock-crow. 
When the night is dying slowly 

In the sky. 
And the sea looks calm and holy, 

Waiting for the dawn 



"^t tbfn, 0r at mitrnig^t, at at i\t rotkrrofeing, at in \\t morning." 
— Mark xiii, 35. 





COMING. X,!' 



Of the golden sun 

Which draweth nigh ; 
When the mists are on the valleys, shading 

The rivers chill, 
And my morning-star is fading, fading 

Over the hill : 
Behold I say unto you : Watch ; 
Let the door be on the latch 

In your liome ; 
In the chill before the daw^ning, 
Between the night and morning, 

I may come. 

' It may be in the morning, 

When the sun is bright and strong 
And the dew is glittering sharply 

Over the little lawn ; 
When the waves are laughing loudly 

Along the shore, 
And the little bii'ds are singing sweetly 

About the door ; 
With the long day's work before you, 

You rise up with the sun, 
And the neighbors come in to talk a little 

Of all that must be done. 



"SaKr je ^tt'ii, feiatt^ ani> pran ; for jjc knob not (nbnx tl^r linu is. 
iTT^rV^ — Mark xiii, 33. ^ 



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r COMING. 



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But remember that I may be the next 

To come in at the door, 
To call you from all your busy work 

For evermore : 
As you work your heart must watch 
For the door is on the latch 

In your room, 
And it may be in the morning 

I will come. " 

So He passed down my cottage garden, 
By the path that leads to the sea. 

Till He came to the turn of the little road 
Where the birch and laburnum tree 

Lean over and arch the way ; 

There I saw Him a moment stay, 
And turn once more to me, 
As I wept at the cottage door, 

And lift up Ilis hands in blessing — 
Then 1 saw His face no more. 

And I stood still in the doorway, 

Leaning against the wall, 
Not heeding the fair white roses. 

Though I crushed them and let them fall 



" ^at tl^e .Son of Utan sl^all tome in ll^e glorjj of Ijis J^ati^tr faitb bis 
a#) augds.-'-Matt. xvi, 27. ^ gj^ 

• ■ < » I - . T * > ^ 



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78 



COMING. 



Only looking down the pathway, 

And looking toward the sea, 
And wondering, and wondering 

When He would come back for me 
Till I was aware of an Angel 

Who was going swiftly by, 
With the gladness of one who goeth 

In the light of God Most High. 







He passed the end of the cottage 
Toward the garden gate — 




i "^tljoltr, ^£ tomtt^ fait^ cloubs; anij tbexv ene sljall see Ijim." i 

k — Rev. i, y. -^' 

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COMING. 




(I suppose he w£*s come down 

At the setting of the sun 

To comfort some one in the village 

Whose dwelling was desolate) — 
And he paused before the door 

Beside my place. 
And the likeness of a smile 

Was on his face : 
"Weep not," he said, "for unto you is given 

To watch for the coming of His feet 
Who is the glory of our blessed heaven ; 

The work and watching will be very sweet, 

Even in an earthly home ; 
And in such an hour as you think not 

He will come." 

So I am watching quietly 

Every day. 
Whenever the sun shines brightly, 

I rise and say : 
"Surely it is the shining of His face!" 
And look unto the gates of His high place 

Beyond the sea ; 
For I know He is coming shortly 

To summon me. 



"Ijcrofttr sball nt sec tl)j ^on of Ulan sitting on tlje rigljt l^anJ> of 
pofetr, anb coming in tijt tloubs of l^jafacn." — Matt, xxvi, 64. 





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80 



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• 1 ♦ > ' — "— ^> 



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COMING. 



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And when a shadow falls across the wmdow 

Of my room, 
Where I am working my appointed task, 
I lift my head to watch the door and ask 

If He is come ; 
And the Angel answers sweetly 

In my home : 
" Only a few more shadows. 

And He will come." 

— MRS. B. MACANDREW. 





"^i toljit^ lislifijtij tijtsj tlnngs saitl^, Sunlij | tome quitklir. 
— Rev. xxii, 20. 



^^ 



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Under the Shadow of the Almighty. 



•NDER the shadow of his wings; 
Oh sweetest rest ! 
Thou canst not find, my soul, an hiding-place 
So safe as in thy Father's arms of grace ; 
Me calls them blest 
Who find the joy his promise brings. 

There is no otlier resting place, 
My soul, so dear ; 
The shadow of his wings is great and wide. 
And yet so near it draws thee to his side, 
So very near, 
'Tis like a glimpse of his loved face. 

Under the shadow of his wings ; 
Oh, who may stay ? 



"fatj? me as tl^i ajjplt of t|)c rjii, !;iibc mt uubtr tljc sbabolu of tl^n 



faings." — Psa. xvii, 8. 



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82 



UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY. 




They who find rest within his secret place, 
They who find joy but in his own rich grace, 
And only they, 
May know the joy the shadow brings. 

For joy, not born of earllily things, 
Fills all the place ; 
Come near, my soul, come closer, closer still. 
See ! thou art shielded now from ever ill — 
Rest in God's grace, 
Under the shadow of his wings. 



— MILLIE COLCORD. 




.^"Is^ 






"I^E'ir in tl^^ sbabofa of t\)\) tutngs toill | inakf mn rcfugt." 
— Psa. Ivii, I. 





Time. 



giffARTHLY things 

Are but the transient pageants of an hour ; 

And earthly pride is like the passing flower, 

That springs to fall, and blossoms but to die 

'Tis as the tower erected on a cloud. 

Baseless and silly as the schoolboy's dream. 

Ages and epochs that destroy our pride, 

And then record its downfall, what are they 

But the poor creatures of man's teeming brain ? 

Hath Heaven its ages ? or doth Heaven preserve 

Its stated eras? Doth the Omnipotent 

Hear of to-morrows or of yesterdays ? 

There is to God nor future nor a past ; 

Throned in His might, all times to Him are present ; 

He hath no lapse, no past, no time to come ; 

He sees before Him one eternal Now. 



.^^. 



VV 



"^cl^olb, noto is tbc arcrptcJy timt; bcljolir, noto is iijc ban o£ 
salbation." — 2 Cor. vi, 2. 




Time moveth not ! — our being 'tis that moves ; 
And we, swift gliding down life's rapid stream, 
Dream of swift ages and revolving years, 

Ordained to chronicle our pass- 
ing days : 
So the young sailor in the gal- 
lant bark. 
Scudding' before the wind, be- 
holds the coast 
Receding from his eyes, and 

thinks the while. 
Struck with amaze, that he is 

motionless. 
And that the land is sailing. 

Such, alas! 
Are the illusions of this proteus 

life! 
All, all is false : through every 

phasis still 
'Tis shadowy and deceitful. It 
assumes 

The semblances of things and specious shapes ; 
But the lost traveler might as soon rely 
On the evasive spirit of the marsh, 





"S°^ tit tlje multituitc of breams antr mntrg foorbs t\)txt are also 

bifafrs faanities : but fear tljou Ceob." — Eccl. v, 7. ^ 




M 



$«-*► 






TIME. 




Whose lantern beams, and vanishes, and flits. 
O'er bog, and rock, and pit, and hollow way, 
As we on its appearances. 

On earth 
There is nor certainty nor stable hope. 
As well the weary mariner, whose bark 
Is tossed beyond Cimmerian Eosphorus, 
Where storm and darkness hold their drear domain, 
And sunbeams never penetrate, might trust 
To expectation of serener skies. 
And linger in the very jaws of death. 
Because some peevish cloud were opening. 
Or the loud storm had bated in its rage ; 
As we look forward in this vale of tears 
To permanent delight— from some slight glimpse 
Of shadowy, unsubstantial happiness. 

The good man's hope is laid far, far beyond 

The sway of tempests, or the furious sweep 

Of mortal desolation — He beholds. 

Unapprehensive, the gigantic stride 

Of rampant Ruin, or the unstable waves 

Of dark Vicissitude. —Even in death — 

In that dread hour, when, with a giant pang. 



"^tn, i^owj^ 1 kialk t^rougl) iht ballcn of tbt sljabob of bcatlj, i 

I bill ter no ffail." — Psa. xxiii, 4. ^ 



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TIME. 



Tearing the tender fibres of the heart, 

The immortal spirit struggles to be free — 

Then, even then, that hope forsakes him not, 

For it exists beyond the narrow verge 

Of the cold sepulchre. The petty joys 

Of fleeting life indignantly it spurned, 

And rested on the bosom of its God. 

This is man's only reasonable hope ; 

And 'tis a hope which, cherished in the breast, 

Shall not be disappointed. Even He, 

The Holy One — Almighty — who elanced 

The rolling world along its airy way. 

Even He will deign to smile upon the good, 

And welcome him to these celestial seats. 

Where joy and gladness hold their changeless reign. 

— HENRY KIRKE WHITE. 






t faickf i) is bribcn abjait in bis (joicktbrtrss ; bnl tht rigljttous 
Ijati) ^opj in I^is irtatb." — Prov. xiv, 32. 






He is Risen. 



HE tomb is empty ; wouldst thou have it full ? 
Still sadly clasping the unbreathing clay ; 
O weak in faith, O slow of heart and dull, 
To doat on darkness, and shut out the day ! 

The tomb is empty; He who, three short days, 
After a sorrowing life's long weariness, 

Found refuge in this rocky resting-place, 
Has now ascended to the throne of bliss. 

Here lay the Holy One, the Christ of God, 
He who for death gave death, and life for life ; 

Our heavenly Kinsman, our true flesh and blood ; 
Victor for us on hell's dark field of strife. 

This was the I?ethel, where, on stony bed, 

While angels went and came from morn till even, 

Our truer Jacob laid his wearied head ; 
This was to him the very gate of heaven. 



|j is not btrr: for he is risen." 
— Matt, xxviii, 6. 





HE IS RISEN. 



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The Conqueror, not the conquer'd, He to whom 
The keys of death and of the grave belong, 

Cross'd the cold threshold of the stranger's tomb, 
To spoil the spoiler and to bind the strong. 

Here death had reigned ; into no tomb like this 
Had man's fell foe aforetime found his way ; 

So grand a trophy ne'er before was his. 
So vast a treasure, so divine a prey. 

But now his triumph ends ; the rock-barr'd door 
Is open'd wide, and the Great Pris'ner gone ; 

Look round and see, upon the vacant floor 
The napkin and the grave-clothes lie alone. 

Yes, death's last hope, his strongest fort and prison 

Is shatter'd, never to be built again ; 
And He, the mighty Captive, He is risen, 

Leaving behind the gate, the bar, the chain. 

Yes, He is ris'n who is the First and Last ; 

Who was and is ; who liveth and was dead ; 
Beyond the reach of death he now has pass'd. 

Of the one glorious Church the glorious Head. 

— HORATIUS BONAR, D. D. 




"^ asunb unt0 mn J^atbtr, anb noar ^at^tr; anh ta ftij ^oir, anb 
gonr #oir." — John xx, 17. 



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Even-Song. 



LL day the birds are singing as they flit from grove and tree, 
But at twilight hath their music the sweetest sound to me, 

For then all tones are gathered into one full-tided chord, 
And up from wood and meadow arises " Praise the Lord." 

The soft wind bears it onward, low murmuring in the pines, 
I hear it in the rustle of the moth amid the vines. 

The bee that swingeth homeward, after honey-seeking hours, 
Hath the secret, in his whirring, of the vivid life of flowers. 

The cattle slowly wending from the pasture-land their way. 
In every tinkle of their bells, tell of the ending day. 

Then, sudden from the orchard, out rings the robin's note. 
In silver trills around me his rapture seems to float. 



" %ti i\t ^tabtns rtjoi«, Hitb Itt {\t tnxi\ be glab ; ht lljt sea roar, i 
ani> l^t fulness thereof." — Psa. xcvi, ii. ^ 

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92 



EVEN-SONG. 





1 1 "|Ctt tl)£ ficlb be jonful, anb all that is therein: il^ett sljall all tlje 

■^^^ trees of the fooob rejoice." — Psa. xcvi, 12. 





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EVEN-SONG. 



93 






And, listening, my spirit is borne to realms afar, 

Yet near, as near as heaven, where the happy ransomed are. 

I join my silence unto the many-threaded strain 

That unto God uplifted, goes on throiigh joy and pain. 

Away from space and limits, away from time and sense, 
I send my thought to find its rest in God's kind providence. 

For, at night, when work is over, and cares awhile retreat, 
The soul must breathe its even-song low at the Father's feet. 

— MARGARET E. SANGSTER. 




^ 



"Rejoice in t^r ^orb, ne rig||tcows; antr gibe l^nnks at t^c 
remembrance of l^is holiness." — Psa. xcvii, 12. 

Ig^i ' ^(^ 



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A Little Longer. 



j^H, to be in Jesus's bosom, 

There to hide my pain and care, 
There to feel his arms around me, 
^^ All my trouble ended there! 

Oh, to be in quiet lying 

On his peace-insuring breast, 

There forgetting sin and sorrow. 
There forevermore at rest ! 

Ties, that hold us here, unknotted 

In the faith we there must know- 
Willing, in his trusted presence. 
To let earthly dear things go: 

Willing to resign the dearest, 
Even the flesh of our flesh born, 

Even the baby, in our dying 
Left so humanly forlorn ! 



snuf Ijngrl^, gta, tbtn fainttt^ for tbt courts of t^t ^oxts.' 
— Psa. Ixxxiv, 2. 



^'^ 



•+^ 




Ah! I feel his tiny fingers 
Reaching helplessly to me ; 

Let me still a little longer 

Painful, sorro A'ing, troubled be, 

So I yet may be his comfort, 
Shield him from the bitter cold. 

Lead him by my guiding counsel 
To a tender Saviour's fold! 

Not until my task is ended, 

Task of toil or agony. 
Would I close my weary eyelids 

And in bliss forever be : 

Not until life's work is finished 
Would I seek the perfect rest 

That awaits the poor believer 
Sinking tired on Jesus' breast. 



— MARY B, DODGE. 



"^t ashtb Hie of thet, anb tl^ou gabcst it ^im." 
— Psa. xxi, 4. 






^^. 




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It 



Evening. 



,_ JENTLY the dew falls on th3 grass, 
I W The winds are hushed to rest, 
Qdy And softly sinks the crescent moon, 
Adown the quiet west. 

And one by one, as shadows fall. 
The stars come out on high, 

Till in full brightness spreads unveiled 
The glory of the sky. 

I sit upon the summer hills, 
Far from the noisy throng. 

And hear the modest night-bird sing 
Her low and plaintive song. 

The little streamlets bright and clear 

Go singing on their way. 
While countless insect voices weave 

Their never-ending lay. 



"gill tlm fcoorks shall praist tbtt, Q ITorb.' 
— Psa. cxlv, lo. 



C!s)\ 



— ^fe? 






EVENING. 





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"|fd tfjirg t^tng tijat I;atl) breatlj praist l^t ^otts. 
— Psa. cl, 6. ' 







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98 



EVENING. 



God, in such an hour as this, 
How yearns the soul to know 

The mysteries of the heavens above 
And of the earth below! 

An atom in the boundless whole, 
A speck upon the air, 

1 seem as one engulfed and lost. 
Without a Father's care. 

My life I draw, I know not how. 
From the mysterious past ; 

Before me stretches all unknowTi 
A future strange and vast. 

What part have I in this wide realm ? 

What place have I to fill ? 
Or can the smallest issue hang 

Upon my wavering will ? 

Yet folded in these shades of night. 

My busy thoughts arise. 
To range afar the fields of earth. 

And wander through the skies. 






"© ITorb, Ijob manifolb urc tl^n faarks! in bisbom ^ast tl^oK mabe i 
tljtm all." — Psa. civ, 24 A 

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EVENING. 




Is there a hand that reaches down 

From out this vast unknown ? 
Is there a love that beckons me 

To the eternal throne ? 

I ask the silent stars above, i 

As men have asked of old, 
No voice comes from them, as they look 

On mountains still and cold. 

The entrance of Thy Word, O God! 

Alone can break this night, 
And shed o'er all the way I go 

A clear and living light. 

By faith, I take that blessed Word 

And follow at its call ; 
The God who made the heavens and earth. 

Can see and know them all. 

— REV. I. N. TARBOX, D. D 



foorir is a lamp unto mn itz\, Hnb a ligbt unto mn patl^.' 
Psa. cxix, 105. 





Trust 



PICTURE memory brings to me ; 
I look across the years and see 
Myself beside my mother's knee. 

I feel her gentle hand restrain 

My selfish moods, and know again 

A child's blind sense of wrong and pain. 

But wiser now, a man gray grown. 
My childhood's needs are better known, 
My mother's chastening love I own. 

Gray grown, but in our Father's sight 
A child still groping for the light 
To read His works and ways aright. 

I bow myself beneath His hand : 
That pain itself for good was planned, 
I trust, but cannot understand. 





gj tl^at feat i\z %axts, trust in iht ^axh ; \t is tijnr Ijtip anb i\t\t 
s^iclij." — Psa. cxv, II. 

USM 




li^v. 






TRUST. 




I fondly dream it needs must be 
That as my mother dealt with me. 
So with His children dealeth He. 

I wait and trust the end will prove 
That here and there, below, above. 
The chastening heals, the pain is love 



— JOHN G. WHITTIER. 




"^lessti) is t^at man tijat mahetlj tijc g'ortr Ijis trust." 
— Psa. xl, 4. 







Christian's Clock. 



" §inb- Christian mabe a sljrinj for tljj I^ours t\i %ax)i \uii giben 
\xm ; antr from tljj sl)rxne a golltfn t\]m\x taas linktir to i\z grrat b«ll 
at t^e pragcr-gatj, anb toljtn tljc bfll Btrurh, t^£ angil optntir t\i gate 
atti> gabi bath i\t ansbD^r." — Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. 



HE bell tolls am— 
Teach me to say, 
"Thy will be done." 

The bell tolls tfeo— 
Help me each day 
Thy will to do. 

The bell tolls l^rw- 

I ask in faith 
To follow Thee. 




"Jor bg mt t|f2 bajis shall be multiplictr, anb^ t^e gears of tijg life [ 
s^all be iiureaseij." — Prov. ix, ii. A 





CHRISTIAN S CLOCK. 




The bell tolls four- 

I pray for trust 
For evermore. 



The bell tolls fib«— 
For Christian speech 
Help me to strive. 



The bell tolls six- 
Teach me my ^1 o ji « 
On Thee to fix. 




The bell, tolls atbzn- 

O make my life 
A way to heaven. 



The bell tolls eight 

May I in peace 
And patience wait. 



The bell tolls nine — 

Let C^aritn; 
Be ever mine. 



"^aast not tl^gstlf of to-morrofco ; for tbou hnobcst not fa^at a iJajr 
^ mng bring fortl^. — Prov. xxvii, i. 






CHRISTIAN S CLOCK. 




The bell tolls Un— 

I pray for love 
To God and men. 

It tolls cicfain — 

Let me each hour 
Be nearer heaven. 

Sfoelbs strokes I hear! 

Now T^nicti lobt 
Hath cast out fear. 





lerjforf bt gt niscr retibg : for in sut^ an Ijoitr as vt tlfink not tl^£ i 
Son of .pian tontttlj." — Matt, xxiv, 44. ^ 






The Rose-Bud. 



j\lj'HEN Nature tries her finest touch, 
Wavmg her vernal wreath, 
Mark ye how close she veils her round, 
Not to be traced by sight or sound, 
Nor soiled by ruder breath ? 

Whoever saw the earliest Rose 
First open her sweet breast ? 
Or, when the summer sun goes down. 
The first soft star in evening's crovim 
Light up her gleaming crest ? 

Fondly we seek the dawning bloom 

On features wan and fair, — 
The gazing eye no change can trace. 
But look away a little space. 
Then turn, and lo ! 'tis there. 



" i^n)3 sboultr slrcp, nnti rise night anb I>ud, nnit tijc stth s^oulb 

spring anb groto up, \^t knotoctb not Ijofa." — Mark iv, 27. ^ 




'^r> 



:r 108 



THE ROSE-BUD. 









" J^or t^e tartly bringetlj fortl^ fruit of bcrscif ;' first tl^e bhti, tl^tn 
t^t tux, after t^at i^z full corn iu tijt mx." — Mark iv, 28. 









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THE ROSE-BUD. 



109 



But thei^e's a sweeter flower than e'er 

Blushed on the rosy spray — 
A brighter star, a richer bloom, 
Than e'er did western heaven illume 
At close of summer day. 



'Tis love, the last best gift of heaven ; 

Love gentle, holy, pure : 
But tenderer than a dove's soft eye, 
The searc?iing sun, the open sky, 

She never could endure. 



Even human love will shrink from sight 

Here in the coarse, rude earth : 
How then should rash intruding glance 
Break in upon her sacred trance, 
Who boasts a heavenly birth ? 

So still and secret is her growth, 

Ever the truest heart. 
Where deepest strikes her kindly root, 
For hope or joy, for flower or fruit, 

Least known its happy part. 



^elobfb, Id us lobe one nnotbcr : for lobe is of (Bots ; anb tbern one 
^ Ibat lobtll^ is born of (6ob, anb iuiotoctl^ (!3ob." — i John iv, 7. 

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'' 110 THE ROSE-BUD. 




God only, and good angels, look 

Behind the blissful screen — 
As when, triumphant o'er His woes, 
The Son of God by moonlight rose, 
By all but heaven unseen : 



As when the Holy Maid beheld 

Her risen Son and Lord : 
Thought has not colors half so fair, 
That she to paint that hour may dare 

In silence best adored. 



The gracious dove, that brought from heaven 

The earnest of our bliss. 
Of many a chosen witness telling, 
Of many a happy vision dwelling, 

Sings not a note of this 



So, truest image of the Christ, 

Old Israel's long-lost Son, 
What time, with sweet forgiving cheer, 
He called His conscious brethren near, 

Would weep with them alone. 



StlobiJj, if 6oJj BO lobfir ns, fee ougbt also to lobt one anot^jer, 
— I John iv, II. 



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THE ROSE-BUD. 




He could not trust his melting soul 

But in His Maker's sight — 
Then why should gentle hearts and true 
Bare to the rude world's withering view 

Their treasures of delight ? 

No ; let the dainty Rose awhile 
Her bashful fragrance hide — 
Rend not her silken veil too soon, 
But leave her, in her own soft noon, 
To flourish and abide. 




M 



"^t that lobtth not, knofeetb not ©oit ; for (£>oh is lobt." 
— I John iv, 8. 





%htri also sstbt fabo onlg stanir anir toait." — Milton. 

HE fields are whitening 'neath the ripening grain ; 
I long to toil among the reapers there ; 
What full ripe sheaves I'll gather, ere the rain, 
To show my gratitude for God's dear care ! 

Thus saying, proud and resolute I stood 

Amid the ever-busy, hurrying throng ; 
Waiting to see, in somewhat anxious mood, 

The Lord and Master, as lie passed along, 

He came. Quick pressing through the eager throng, 
I stood beside Him, near the open gate ; 

"Master, what shall I do ? My soul is strong — " 
He turned, and softly said, "Here stand and wait!" 



M%, 



W<^ 



"Matt on tbt ICorb: bt of goob conrarir, aittr I^j sball strengthen 
t^ine Ijeart : liiatt, | sun, on tbe ^'oriJ." — Psa. xxvii, 14. 



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WAITING. 




The hot blood to my brow and temples flew — 
I struggled fiercely with my hapless fate — 

"Oh, Master, have you naught for me to do ? " 

" Yes," He replied at once, " Here stand and wait." 

He passed along ; and thro' the weary hours 
I stood with restless hands and aching heart ; 

I would not even pluck the fragrant flowers 
Beneath my feet, while thus I stood apart. 

Again He passed — and in my grief I said, 
"I'd rather die than only stand and wait !" 

One look of sad rebuke ; no word He said, 
But left me weeping by the open gate. 

The weary, weary hours come and pass ; 

I watch the reapers cut the bearded grain ; 
I see their heavy sheaves, and sigh, alas, 

That I may only watch and wait. 

The night draws near. I seek Him once again — 
"Oh, Master, see — 'tis growing dark, and late! 

I have no sheaves!" His sweet voice soothes my pain, 
"They serve me best who patient stand and wait!" 



Ust in tl2e ^orir, unit feiait patientli) for bint." 
— Psa. xxxvii, 7. 



\C!s)^ 





WAITING. 




So, patiently, I strive to stand and wait 

Thro' all the glories of the fading years ; 
Wait till His hand shall lead me thro' the gate, 

And change my sighs to songs, to smiles my tears. 

— REBECCA RUTER SPRINGER. 





"J^or tlje Iforir is a Sob of jubgmfiit; blcsscb are all t^tg tijat feiait 

for lum." — Isa. xxx, i8. -^ 




<^fr 




Lessons Sweet. 



'ESSONS sweet of spring returning, 
Welcome to the thoughtful heart ! 
May I call ye sense or learning, 

Instinct pure, or heav'n-taught art? 
Be your title what it may. 
Sweet the lengthening April day, 
While with you the soul is free, 
Ranging wild o'er hill and lea. 

Soft as Memnon's harp at morning, 

To the inward ear devout, 
Touch'd by light, with heavenly warning 

Your transporting chords ring out. 
Every leaf in every nook, 
Every wave in every brook, 
Chanting with a solemn voice, 
Minds us of our better choice. 



" gitib t^ej s^II spring np as nmong t^t grass, as feillnfcs bn tijj i 
faiater tantstn."— Isa. xliv, 4. -^ 



ifsrar- 








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r 116 



LESSONS SWEET. 




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" ^at f feill pour foater upon l^im tl^at is tbirstg, anir flooifs upon 
t^e brn ground." — Isa. xliv, 3. 



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^w. 



LESSONS SWEET. 



Needs no show of mountain hoary, 
Winding shore or deepening glen, 
Where the landscape in its glory 

Teaches truth to wandering men : 
Give true hearts but earth and sky, 
And some flowers to bloom and die, — 
Plomely scenes and simple views 
Lowly thoughts may best infuse. 

See the soft green willow springing 

Where the waters gently pass. 
Every way her free arms flinging 
O'er the moist and reedy grass. 
Long ere winter blasts are fled. 
See her tipp'd with vernal red, 
And her kindly flower display'd 
Ere her leaf can cast a shade. 

Though the rudest hand assail her. 

Patiently she droops awhile, 
But when showers and breezes hail her. 

Wears again her willing smile. 
Thus I learn Contentment's power 
From the slighted willow bower. 
Ready to give thanks and live 
On the least that Heaven may give. 



"^uf goblinjss fattb tonltntrntnt is great gnin. 
— I Tim. vi, 6. 



■ I » > ■ ^ 



117 



iil 






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"^ faill tbtn make a foag '" ^'^' bilbtrnjss, anit riders in t^e btstrt." i 
— Isa. xliii,. iq. A 

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LESSONS SWEET. 




119 



If, the quiet brooklet leaving, 

Up the stony vale I wind, 
Haply half in fancy grieving 

For the shades I leave behind, 
By the dusty wayside drear, 
Nightingales with joyous cheer 
Sing, my sadness to reprove, 
Gladlier than in cultur'd grove. 

"Where the thickest boughs are twining 
Of the greenest darkest tree. 

There they plunge, the light declining — 
All may hear, but none may see. 

Fearless of the passing hoof. 

Hardly will they fleet aloof ; 

So they live in modest ways, 

Trust entire, and ceaseless praise. 




-KEBLE. 




" Jear not: for | am foitlj t^u. 
— Isa. xliii, 5. 





The Hour of Death. 



ifTllrEAVES have their time to fall, 

And flowers to wither at the north-wind's breath, 

And stars to set — but all, 
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death. 

Day is for mortal care ; 
Eve, for glad meetings round the joyful hearth ; 

Night, for the dreams of sleep, the voice of prayer ;- 
But all for thee, thou mightiest of the earth. 

The banquet hath its hour, 
Its feverish hour of mirth, and song, and wine; 

There comes a day for grief's o'erwhelming power, 
A time for softer tears — but all are thine. 



\t tamzW} fortj) like a flofncr, anJ> is tut trofan." 

— Job xiv, 2. ^ 







THE HOUR OF DEATH. 




121 



Youth and the opening rose 
May look like things too glorious for decay. 

And smile at thee — but thou art not of those 
That wait the ripen'd bloom to seize their prey. 

Leaves have their time to fall, 
And flowers to wither at the north-wind's breath, 

And stars to set — but all. 
Thou hast ALL seasons for thine own, O Death. 

"VVe know when moons shall wane, 
When summer birds from far shall cross the sea. 

When autumn's hue shall tinge the golden grain- 
But who shall teach us when to look for thee ! 

Is it when spring's first gale 
Comes forth to whisper where the violets lie ? 
Is it when roses in our paths grow pale ?-^ 
They have one season — all are ours to die! 

Thou art where billows foam, 
Thou art where music melts upon the air ; 

Thou art around us in our peaceful home. 
And the world calls us forth — and thou art there. 



'|)c fijttb also as a sbattoto, anb continuftb not." 
— Job xiv, 2. 



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THE HOUR OF DEATH. 




Thou art where friend meets friend, 
Beneath the shadow of the elm to rest — 

Thou art where foe meets foe, and trumpets rend 
The skies, and swords beat down the princely crest. 

Leaves have their time to fall, 
And flowers to wither at the north-wind's breath. 

And stars to set — but all. 
Thou hast all seasons for thine ovra, O Death. 

— MRS. HEMANS. 





"f f a man hie, s|rall ^e libt again ? all i^s hags oi mn appointth 
time faill ^ faait, till mjj tljangc come." — Job xiv, 14. 



k 




Softly. 



' OFTLY comes the sunset hour, 

With its fading light ; 

Softly steals a sweet repose 

O'er the coming night. 

Softly do the happy birds 
Evening-notes repeat ; 

Softly, 'mid the leafy trees, 
Sigh the zephyrs sweet. 

Softly fades the dying Day 

In the golden west ; 
Softly comes the silent Night 

Like a dream of rest. 

Softly as this sunset scene, 
When I'm called away, 

I would pass the Vale of Night 
To the Gates of Day! 



-E. A. BARNES. 




' pe mahtt^ i\]Z storm a talm, so ibal i\]t toHbis i\txza{ ar£ still." 
— Psa. cvii, 29. 



^^ 



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Cty. 




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4 






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T/^e Father's Care for His Children. 



^jfflRST Father of the holy seed, 
^\\k If yet, invoked in hour of need. 
Thou count me for Thine own. 
Not quite an outcast if I prove, 
(Thou joy' St in miracles of love) 
Hear, from Thy mercy-throne ! 

Upon thine altar's horn of gold 
Help me to lay my trembling hold, 

Though stain'd with Christian gore — 
The blood of souls by Thee redeem'd, 
But, while I rov'd or idly dream'd. 

Lost to be found no more. 

For oft, when summer leaves were bright, 
And every flower was bath'd in light, 
In sunshine moments past. 



n mtrcg xtpon mt, @ ^'orb; for '§ am fanh. 
— Psa. vi, 2. 




If 



THE father's care FOR HIS CHILDREN. 




My wilful heart would burst away 

From where the holy shadow lay, 

Where Heaven my lot had cast 

I thought it scorn with Thee to dwell, 
A Hermit in a silent cell, 

While, gaily sweeping by, 
Wild Fancy blew his bugle strain. 
And marshall'd all his gallant train 

In the world's wondering eye. 

I would have join'd him — but as oft 
Thy whisper'd warnings, kind and soft, 

My better soul confess'd, 
"My servant, let the world alone — 
Safe on the steps of Jesus' throne 

Be tranquil and be blest. 

"Seems it to thee a niggard hand 
That nearest Heaven has bade thee stand, 

The ark to touch and bear. 
With incense of pure heart's desire 
To heap the censer's sacred fire, 

The snow-white ephod wear ? " 



" ^or I kncto il^at tljou art a grutious i&oh, anb merciful, slofo to 

angtr, anb of grrat kiu&utss." — Jonah iv, 2. -^ 

2^®^ . ^gJ 




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" 126 THE father's CARE FOR HIS CHILDREN. 




Why should we crave the worldling's wreath, 
On whom the Saviour deign'd to breathe, 

To whom His keys were given, 
Who lead the choir where Angels meet. 
With Ang£ls' food our brethren greet. 

And pour the drink of heaven ? 

When sorrow all our heart would ask. 
We need not shun our daily task. 

And hide ourselves for calm ; 
The herbs we seek to heal our woe 
Familiar by our pathway grow, 

Our common air is balm. ^ 

Around each pure domestic shrine 
Bright flowers of Eden bloom and twine. 

Our hearths are altars all ; 
The prayers of hungry souls and poor. 
Like armed Angels at the door. 

Our unseen foes appal. 

Alms all around and hymns within — 
What evil eye can entrance win 
Where guards like these abound ? 



^ 



" ^amt trust in cl^arids, aivJ> nomt in Iiorscs : but bt bill itmtmhtt 
t^e nami of tbc ^'ortr ant (^oh." — Psa. xx, 7. 



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THE father's care FOR HIS CHILDREN. 




If chance some heedless heart should roam. 
Sure, thought of these will lure it home 
Ere lost in Folly's round. 

O joys, that sweetest in decay. 
Fall not, like wither'd leaves, away, 

But with the silent breath 
Of violets drooping one by one, 
Soon as their fragrant task is done. 

Are wafted high in death ! 




^o« anointjst mv ^tab bttb oil ; mn cnp runnel^ abtt.' 
— Psa. xxiii, 5. 



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^^ 




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■^^ 







The Covered Bridge. 



ELL the fainting soul in the weary form, 
There's a world of the purest bliss, 
That is linked, as the soul and form are linked, 
By a Covered Bridge, with this. 

Yet to reach that realm on the other shore 
We must pass through a transient gloom. 

And must walk, UxiSeen, unhelped and alone, 
Through that Covered Bridge— the tomb. 

But we all pass over on equal terms. 

For the universal toll 
Is the outer garb, which the hand of God 

Has flung around the soul. 



'%\2t nc\ anb poor meet togeibtr; Ibc "gax^ is il^e maksr of lljjm 
-^TL uU." — Prov. xxii, 2. '^ 



THE COVERED BRIDGE. 



M. 



^ 



129 



Though the eye is dim, and the bridge is dark, 

And the river it spans is wide, 
Yet faith points through to a shining mount 

That looms on the other side. 

To enable our feet in the next day's march, 

To climb up that golden ridge, 
We must all lie down for one night's rest 

Inside of the Covered Bridge. 




<»-*► 



"gcat^ is sbrxllotojb up in btrtorn." 
—I Cor. XV, 54. 






^'^ 





The Lily of the Valley. 



/AIR flower, that, lapt in lowly glade. 
Dost hide beneath the greenwood shade, 

Than whom the vernal gale 
None fairer wakes, on bank or spray. 
Our England's I jly of the May, 
Our Lily of the Vale ! 

Art thou that " Lily of the field," 
Which, when the Saviour sought to shield 

The heart from blank despair. 
He showed to our mistrustful kind. 
An emblem of the thoughtful mind, 

Of God's paternal care ? 

Not this, I trow ; for brighter shine 
To the warm skies of Palestine 
Those children of the East : 



onsibtr tl^e lilies of tbt ficlir, Ijofa tlun grofo ; i\tv toil not, 
ntitlur tro tljen spin." — Matt, vi, 28. 








THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 




There, when mild autumn's early rain 
Descends on parched Esdrela' s plain 
And Tabor's oak-girt crest, 

More frequent than the host of night. 
Those earth-born stars, as sages write. 

Their brilliant discs unfold ; 
Fit symbol of imperial state, 
Their sceptre-seeming forms elate, 

And crowns of burnished gold. 

But not the less, sweet spring-tide's flower. 
Dost thou display the Maker's power, 

His skill and handiwork ; 
Our western valleys' humbler child, 
Where, in green nook of woodland wild, 

Thy modest blossoms lurk. 

What though nor care nor art be thine. 
The loom to ply, the thread to twine, 

Yet born to bloom and fade. 
Thee to a lovelier robe arrays. 
Than, e'en in Israel's brightest days. 

Her wealthiest kings arrayed. 



.^^. 



"§i.ni> get I san unto nou, ®bat rbtn Solomon in all bis glorn bias 
not arrancij like ont of tl^tst." — Matt, vi, 29. 



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132 



THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 




Of thy twin-leaves the embowered screen, 
Which wraps thee in thy shroud of gi^een. 

Thy Eden-breathing smell ; 
Thy arched and purple-vested stem, 
Whence pendent many a pearly gem, 

Displays a milk-white bell • 

Instinct with life thy fibrous root. 

Which sends from earth the ascending shoot. 

As rising from the dead, 
And fills thy veins with verdant juice. 
Charged thy fair blossoms to produce. 

And berries scarlet red ; 

The triple cell, the twofold seed, 
A ceaseless treasure-house decreed. 

Whence aye thy race may grow. 
As from creation they have grown. 
While Spring shall weave her flowery crown, 

Or vernal breezes blow ; 

Who forms thee thus, with unseen hand ? 
Who at creation gave command. 
And willed thee thus to be ;- 



S;^i ^tabjtts Kxz t^ine, tl^t earth also is tbinc : as for tlje feorib- anb- 
tl^e fulness il^tteaf, tl^ou l^ast founbiir tl^em." — Psa. Ixxxix, ii. > 

: i^ 



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And keeps thee still in being, through 
Age after age revolving ? Who 
But the great God is He? 

Omnipotent, to work His will; 
Wise, who contrives each part to fill 

The post to each assigned ; 
Still provident with sleepless care, 
To keep ; to make thee sweet and fair 

For man's enjoyment — kind! 

" There is no God," the senseless say : — 
•' O God! why cast'st thou us away ? " 

Of feeble faith and frail. 
The mourner breathes his anxious thought ; 
By thee a better lesson taught, 

Sweet Lily of the Vale ! 

Yes, He who made and fosters thee, 
In Reason's eye perforce must be 

Of majesty divine ; 
Nor deems she that His guardian care 
Will He in man's support forbear, 

Who thus provides for thine. 

— BISHOP MANT. 



ik 



— Psa. cxv, 2. 



ittt is nabs fijnr diob." 




itr 





Casting Anchors. 



HE night is dark, but God, my God, 

Is here and in command ; 
And sure am I, when morning breaks, 

I shall be "at the land." 
And since I know the darkness is 

To Him as sunniest day, 
I'll cast the anchor Patience out, 

And wish, but wait for day. 

Fierce drives the storm, but winds and waves 

Within His hand are held, ^ 
And trusting in Omnipotence, 

My fears are sweetly quelled. 
If wrecked, I'm in His faithful grasp, 

I'll trust Him though He slay ; 
So, letting go the anchor Faith, 

I'll wish, but wait for day. 



"^ut if toe l^opt for t^at foj ut not, t\m "isa foe feitl^ patiente feait 
for it." — Rom. viii, 25. 



^s(3r- 




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CASTING ANCHORS. 




Still seem the moments dreary, long ? 

I rest upon the Lord ; 
I muse on His "eternal years," 

And feast upon His word, 
His promises so rich and great, 

Are my support and stay ; 
I'll drop the anchor Hope ahead, 

And wish, but wait for day. 

O wisdom infinite ! O light 

And love supreme, divine, 
How can I feel one fluttering doubt. 

In hands so dear as Thine ; 
I'll lean on Thee, my best Beloved, 

My heart on Thy heart I lay ; 
And casting out the anchor Love, 

I'll wish and wait for day. 




J 



' ^ut Itt us, fobo are of tbc bnn, bi sober, putting on t\^e brenstplutt 
of faitlj anlr lobr." — i Thes. v, 8. 




<H* 



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Nobody Knows tut Jesus." 



'OBODY knows but Jesus! 
'Tis only the old refrain 
Of a quaint, pathetic slave-song, 
But it comes again and again. 

I only heard it quoted, 

And I do not know the rest ; 

But the music of the message 
Was wonderfully blessed. 

For it fell upon my spirit 
Like sweetest twilight psalm, 

When the breezy sunset waters 
Die into starry calm. 

Nobody knows but Jesus ! 

Is it not better so. 
That no one else but Jesus, 

My own dear Lord, should know ? 



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"nobody knows but JESUS." 



137 x:t 



When the sorrow is a secret 
Between my Lord and me, 

I learn the fuller measure 
Of His quick sympathy. 

Whether it be so heavy, 
That dear ones could not bear 

To know the bitter burden 

They could not come and share ; 

Whether it be so tiny. 
That others could not see 

Why it should be a trouble. 
And seem so real to me ; 

Either, and both, I lay them 
Down at my Master's feet. 

And find them, alone with Jesus, 
Mysteriously sweet. 

Sweet, for they bring me closer 
To the dearest, truest Friend ; 

Sweet, for He comes the nearer, 
As 'neath the cross I bend ; 



M 



"J^or nttt ^ahg is rasir, anir mv trurbra is Ugl)!. 
— Matt, xi, 30. 



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138 




NOBODY KNOWS BUT JESUS. 




Sweet, for they are the channels 
Through which His teachings flow ; 

Sweet, for by these dark secrets 
His heart of love I know. 

Nobody knows but Jesus ! 

It is music for to-day, 
And through the darkest hours 

It will chime along the way. 

Nobody knows but Jesus ! 

My Lord, I bless Thee now 
For the sacred gift of sorrow 

That no one knows but Thou. 

— FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. 




"^n)i ge s'^all be nauobalnl, but jrour sorrofa s^all be tnrne!& into 
^ Ton." — John xvi, 20. 



^^ 








"Cover Them Over." 



i^OVER them over with beautiful flowers ; 

11 1 Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours ; 

Lying so silent, by night and by day, 

Sleeping the years of their manhood away ; 

Years they had marked for the joys of the brave ; 

Years they must waste in the sloth of the grave. 

All the bright laurels they fought to make bloom, 

Fell to the earth when they went to the tomb. 

Give them the meed they have won in the past ; 

Give them the honors their merits forecast ; 

Give them the chaplets they won in the strife ; 

Give them the laurels they lost with their life. 

Cover them over, — yes, cover them over, — 

Parent, and husband, and brother, and lover ; 

Crown in your heart those dead heroes of ours, 

And cover them over with beautiful flowers. 



Cover the thousands who sleep far away — 

Sleep where their friends cannot find them to-day ; 



— Psa. xci, II. 



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r 142 



"cover them over." 




They who in mountain, and hillside, and dell, 
Rest where they wearied, and lie where they fell. 
Softly the grass-blade creeps round their repose ; 
Sweetly around them the wild flow'ret blows ; 
Zephyrs of freedom fly gently o'erhead. 
Whispering names for the patriot dead. 
So in our minds we will name them once more, 
So in our hearts we will cover them o'er ; 
Roses, and lilies, and violets blue. 
Bloom in our souls for the brave and the true. 
Cover them over, — yes, cover them over, — 
Parent, and husband, and brother, and lover ; 
Think of these far-away heroes of ours. 
And cover them over with beautiful flowers. 

— FROM WILL CARLETON'S "FARM LEGENDS." 




m 






"^j B^all cabtt t^tt feit^ Iris ftat^trs, anlr nnher l^is foings B^alt 

l^ou trust. " — Psa. xci, 4. ^T 

. ^rM 





The Secret of a Happy Day. 



jUST to let thy Father do 
What He will ; 
Just to know that He is true, 

And be still. 
Just to follow hour by hour 

As He leadeth; 
Just to draw the moment's power 
As it needeth. 
Just to trust Him, this is all ! 
Then the day will surely be 
Peaceful, whatsoe'er befall, 

Bright and blessed, calm and free. 

Just to let Him speak to thee 

Thi-ough His Word, 
Watching, that His voice may be 

Clearly heard. 



"Sbe stcxti oi i\t |!orir is faitlj t\)tm tbat ftar ^iin; nnir ^e bill 
s^efaj ihtm ^is robenant." — Psa. xxv, 14. 

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sssr 





144 



THE SECRET OF A HAPPY DAY, 



-\m 



Just to tell Him everything 

As it rises, 
And at once to Him to bring 
All surprises. 
Just to listen, and to stay 

Where you cannot miss His voice. 
This is all ! and thus to-day, 
Communing, you shall rejoice. 

Just to ask Him what to do 

All the day, 
And to make you quick and true 

To obey. 
Just to know the needed grace 

He bestoweth. 
Every bar of time and place 
Overfloweth. 
Just to take thy ordei"s straight 

From the Master's own command. 
Blessed day ! when thus we wait 
Always at our Sovereign's hand. 

Just to recollect His love, 

Always true ; 
Always shining from above, 

Always new. 



J Ijanb of our (Sob is upon all ihtm for goro& t^ttf s««h |)iin." 
— Ezra viii, 22. 




T^.^ 



.— .« — ~ 



THE SECRET OF A HAPPY DAY. 



m 



Just to recognize its light, 

All-enfolding ; 
Just to claim its present might, 
All-upholding. 
Just to know it as thine own, 

That no power can take away. 
Is not this enough alone 

For the gladness of the day ? 

Just to trust, and yet to ask 

Guidance still ; 
Take the training or the task. 

As He will. 
Just to take the loss or gain. 

As He sends it ; 
Just to take the joy or pain. 
As He lends it. 
He who formed thee for His praise 
Will not miss the gracious aim ; 
So to-day and all thy days 

Shall be moulded for the same. 

Just to leave in His dear hand 

Little things. 
All we cannot understand. 

All that stings. 



M 



'^nb tin ITorb s^all guibe ihte coniinanllv. 
— Isa. Iviii, ii. 



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146 



.^^ 






THE SECRET OF A HAPPY DAY. 



Just to let Him take the care 

Sorely pressing, 
Finding all we let Him bear 
Changed to blessing. 
This is all ! and yet the way 

Marked by Him who loves thee best 
Secret of a happy day, 

Secret of His promised rest. 



-FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. 




"lasting all nonr care upon I^iin; for l^e taritlj for go«." 

— I Peter v, 7. > 

^i : um 




A Midnight Hymn. 



Zht antborsbip of i\t follofeing btantiful bsmrt of trnst is un- 
known, ^t toas founJr IrtasurjiJ up in an bumbk lottage in fingtani. 

tN the mild silence of the voiceless night, 

When, chased, by airy dreams the slumbers flee. 
Whom in the darkness doth my spirit seek, 
O God! but thee? 

And if there be a weight upon my breast — 
Some vague impression of the day foregone — 
Scarce knowing what it is, I fly to thee 
And lay it down. 

So if it be the heaviness that comes 
In token of anticipated ill, 
My bosom takes no heed of what it is. 
Since 'tis thv will. 




"(Sob is foit^ i\tz in all tbat tbon botst. 
— Gen. xxi, 22. 





148 




A MIDNIGHT HYMN. 



if 



'^, 




For O ! in spite of past and present 

care, 
Or anything besides, how joyfully 
Passes that almost solitary hour, 
My God, with thee. 

More tranquil than the stillness of the 

night, 
More peaceful than the silence of that 

hour, 
More blest than anything ; my bosom 

lies 

Beneath thy power. 

For what is there on earth that I 

desire, 
Of all that it can give or take from 
me? 
I Or whom in heaven doth my spirit 
seek, 

O God! but thee? 



"'§ut if ang man be a feors^ippcr of (Sotr, anJj tatt^ l^is feiill, ^im l^e 
btarttb." — John ix, 31. 




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Joy Cometh. 




[jNLY a baby, with winsome face, 
Daintily showing each baby grace. 
Only filling baby's place, — 

Yet the dear Lord sent it here. 
Only a child with golden hair, 
Gathering sunshine, instead of care. 
Followed by many an earnest prayer. 
And many an anxious fear. 

Only a maiden, loving and true, 
Waiting for some great work to do ; 
Looking forward the long years through,- 

But the Lord was over all. 
Only a mother, with patient feet, 
With tender love for her little one sweet. 
Praying wisdom to guide her feet, 

And the dear Lord heard the call. 



"^ fcoill instruct \\n anb tearb ihtt in iht bnn febicb tbou sbalt ga: i 
^ faill guibt l^t£ faitb mine tx\t." — Psa. xxxii, 8. -^vt 

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JOY COMETH. 




Only a woman, faded and old, 
With hair of gray instead of gold ; 
With the years of her life a sum all told, 

And finished the work begun. 
Only a coffin, with flowers dressed ; 
Only a patient face at rest, 
With folded hands on a peaceful breast, 

For the Lord hath said, " Well done." 

Only a grave, in a churchyard cold, 

With the pale moon shining in beams of gold, 

For the Lord hath gathered safe into fold 

His child, — all labor past. 
Over the river, where angels dwell, 
Where songs of praises raise and swell. 
Where Christ is King, and all is well, 
She met her Lord at last. 




|e foill be anx gitibe tbtn unto brat^. 
Psa. xlviii, 14. 





Suffering and Joy. 



'HAT though we suffer while we stay, 
'Tis but the anguish of a day ; 
At most, our life is but a span ; 
A " hand's-breadth " are the days of man. 
What if those days we "sow in tears," 
And our hearts heave with racking fears, 
Despairing thought and cank'ring care 
Their impress on our spirit bear, 
We'll hope, and faint not in the race, 
But pray for all-suffering grace 
To help us trust, from hour to hour, 
The Saviour's love and watchful power. 
Ere long, our earth-life being done, 
The battle fought, the victory won, 
With joy we'll lay our armor down, 
And at his feet receive the crown. 



"(iCbe sufftrings ai this present time are not (nortliir to be tompareb jj 
toxt^ tl^e gloriJ tolucl; shall be rcbealel> in us." — Rom. viii, i8 '*'J 





Sometimes. 



'HILDHOOD'S dreams! those beautiful dreams; 

Echoes of long ago ; 
Voiceless visitants, trooping in 

With stately step and slow : 
Heroes and lovers — the grand ideals 

Pictured in innocent rhyme ; 
Castles so grand that stood in the land 

Of sweet and charmed "Sometime." 

Oh, the witching air of that land so fair ! 

E'en the veil of time scarce hides 
Where hope's bright wing is hovering, 

And the bliss we covet bides. 
To day may ring with tireless hand 

Joy's purest, richest chime ; 
But, oh, we long for a grander song 

In the realm of glad "Sometime." 




"^EJoitinj in bofrt." 
— Rom. xii, 12. 





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SOMETIMES. 



153 






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"^nb t^t from a r^U& tbon bast kitDfen Wit ^olg script tir«. 
— 2 Tim. iii, 15. 






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«^ 154 



SOMETIMES. 



Who that has lived, and loved, and fought 

The battle of life with a will, 
But can see by the way some landmark lay 

Where hopes lie buried still ? 
With a sigh and a tear o'er the lowly bier, 

We hasten on to the shrine 
Where every soul may its burden roll, 

In the fairy land "Sometime." 

But what are a few dark, weary days ? 

What matter our buried joys ? 
When we stand at last on the verge of time 

They will seem like useless toys : 
For hope still beckons and points beyond 

To a glorious, golden clime ; 
Listening and longing, we seem to hear 

The sweet refrain " Sometime." 




-ARTHUR'S MAGAZINE. 




J^ofa il^t (Sob of ^op£ fill »ou tuitl) hII joir anb peacj iit btliebing, j 
ge maw abounbi in Ijopt." — Rom. xv, 13. 4, 



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Tell Me, Ye Winged Winds. 



ELL me, ye winged winds, 

That round my pathway roar, 
Do ye not know some spot 

Where mortals weep no more ? 
Some lone and pleasant dell, 

Some valley in the west. 
Where, free from toil and pain, 
The weary soul may rest ? 
The loud wind dwindled to a whisper low. 
And sighed for pity as it answered, — " No." 

Tell me, thou mighty deep, 

Whose billows round me play, 
Know'st thou some favored spot, 

Some island far away. 
Where weary man may find 

The bliss for which he sighs, — 
Where sorrow never lives. 

And friendship never dies ? 
The loud waves, rolling in perpetual flow. 
Stopped for a while, and sighed to answer, — "No." 



Ian tijat is Iinrn of a iooman is of fcfa bans, anb full of trouble." j 
— Job xiv, I. -^ 








TELL ME, YE WINGED WINDS. 




And thou, serenest moon, 

That, with such lovely face, 
Dost look upon the earth, 

Asleep in night's embrace ; 
Tell me, in all thy round 

Hast thou not seen some spot 
Where miserable man 

May find a happier lot ? 
Behind a cloud the moon withdrew in woe. 
And a voice, sweet but sad, responded, — "No." 

Tell me, my secret soul, 

O, tell me, Hope and Faith, 
Is there no resting-place 

From sorrow, sin, and death ? 
Is there no happy spot 

Where mortals may be blessed, 
Where grief may find a balm. 

And weariness a rest ? 
Faith, Hope, and Love, best boons to mortals given. 
Waved their bright wings, and whispered, — "Yes, in heaven!" 

— CHARLES MACKAY. 




"get man is born awia trouble, as tbe sparhs flii upbarir." 
—Job V, 7. 





.Qf^fe 



The Two Sunsets. 



'O bird-song floated down the hill, 
The tangled bank below was still ; 

No rustle from the birchen stem, 
No ripple from the water's hem. 

The dusk of twilight round us grew 
We felt the falling of the dew ; 

For, from us, ere the day was done, 
The wooded hills shut out the sun. 

But on the river's farther side. 
We saw the hill-tops glorified : 



" |5e Hppointtb tl)£ moon for seasons : i^z sun hnofedl^ Ijis going 

irofen." — Psa. civ, 19. -^ 

m^ i(M 








THE TWO SUNSETS. 



A tender glow, exceeding fair, 
A dream of day without its glare. 

With us the damp, the chill, the gloom ; 
With them the sunset's rosy bloom ; 



While dark, through willowy vistas seen, 
The river rolled in shade between. 

From out the darkness, where we trod, 
We gazed upon those hills of God, 



-JSH^ 






"'§nt anta bou l^at Unt mg namt sljall ll^t Sun of n^^tiamntsB 
nnst fah^ Ifetaling in l^is faings." — Mai. iv, 2. 

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THE TWO SUNSETS. 



Whose light seemed not of moon or sun ; 
We spake not, but our thought was one. 

We paused, as if from that bright shore 
Beckoned our dear ones gone before ; 

And stilled our beating hearts to hear 
The voices lost to mortal ear ! 

Sudden our pathway turned from night ; 
The hills swung open to the light j 

Thro' their green gates the sunshine showed 
A long, slant splendor downward flowed. 

Down glade, and glen, and bank it rolled ; 
It bridged the shaded stream with gold, 

And, borne on piers of mist, allied 
The shadowy with the sunlit side ! 

"So," prayed we, "when our feet draw near 
The river, dark with mortal fear. 

And the night cometh, chill with dew, 
O Father ! let Thy light break through ! 




"^ut it s^all tome to pass, tl^at at ibining time it s^all bt ligljt." 
— Zech. xiv, 7. 



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162 



^^ 




THE TWO SUNSETS. 




So let the hills of doubt divide, 

So bridge with faith the sunless tide! 

So let the eyes that fail on earth 
On Thy eternal hills look forth ; 

And, in Thy beckoning angels, know 
The dear ones whom we loved below ?" 



— ^JOHN G. WHITTIER. 




"Sljtn sl^alltl^t rtgbttous sbtnc fortb as tbe sun in f^e kingbom of 
b: tbcir Jatber." — Matt, xiii, at.. ^ 



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Unspoken Prayer. 



OO tired — too worn to pray, 

I can but fold my hands, 
Entreating in a voiceless way. 

Of him who understands 
How flesh and heart succumb — 

How will sinks, weary — weak. 

Dear Lord, my languid lips are dumb, 

See what I cannot speak. 
Just as the wearied child, 

Through sobbing pain opprest, 
Drops, hushing all its wailings wild, 

Upon its mother's breast — 

So on thy bosom, I 

Would cast my speechless prayer. 
Nor doubt that thou wilt let me lie 

In trustful weakness there. 
And though no conscious thought 

Before me rises clear. 



""^tt us lift up our l^tart feitb ant banirs unto (Sob in tlje l^safatns." 
— Lam. iii, 41. 





UNSPOKEN PRAYER. 




The prayer of wordless language wrought, 

Thou yet will deign to hear, 
For when, at best I plead — 

What so my spirit saith — 
I only am the bruised reed, 

And thou the breathing breath. 

— MARGARET J. PRESTON. 




"§i.nb it sljall tome to pass, tbat hdatt t^en tall, | toill ansfaer." 
— Isa. Ixv, 24. 





IT 




/ Would Have Gone. 



WOULD have gone, God bade me stay, 
[ I would have worked, God bade me rest ; 
v\ He broke my will from day to day ; 
He read my yearnings unexpressed, 
And said them nay. 

No\v I would stay, God bids me go, 
Now I would rest, God bids me work ; 
He breaks my heart, tossed too and fro ; 
My soul is ^^ rung with doubts that lurk 
And vex it so. 

I go, Lord, where Thou sendest me! 
Day after day, I plod and moil. 
But Christ, my Lord, when ^vill it be 
That I may let alone my toil, 
And rest with Thee ? 



"|5abing matri knobn nnto ns Ibt mnsttrj of bis faill, attorbing to 
gsrX bis goob pleasure." — Eph. i, 9. ^ 

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HIS is the room where she slept, 
jyn Only a year ago — 

Quiet, and carefully swept, 
Blinds and curtains like snow. 
There by the bed in the dusty gloom, 

She would kneel with her tiny clasped hands and pray ; 
Here is the little white rose of a room, 
With the fragrance fled away ! 



Nelly, grandfather's pet, 

With her wise little face — 
I seem to hear her yet 
Singing about the place ; 
But the crowds roll on, and the streets are drear. 
And the world seems hard with a bitter doom, 
And Nelly is singing elsewhere — and here 
Is the little white rose of a room. 



"^erannbtr nofco t\^v Creator in i\)t isn^s of tljjj 2C«t^, 
— Eccl. xii, I. 



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grandfather's pet. 




Why, if she stood just there, 

As she used to do. 
With her long light yellow hair. 

And her eyes of blue — 



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If she stood, I say, at the edge of the bed. 
And ran to my side with a living touch, 

Though I know she is quiet and buried and dead, 
I should not wonder much ; 






"^tt t^ig not all ministering spirits." 
— Heb. i, 14. 






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grandfather's pet. 




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For she was so young, you know — 

Only seven years old, 
And she loved me, loved me so, 
Though I was gray and old ; 
And her face was so wise, and so sweet to see, 
And it still looked living, when she lay dead. 
As she used to plead for mother and me 
By the side of that very bed ! 

I wonder, now, if she 

Knows I am standing here, 
Feeling wherever she be, 
We hold the place so dear ? 
It cannot be that she sleeps too sound, 
Still in her little night-gown dressed, 
Not to hear my footsteps sound 
In the room where she used to rest. 

I have felt hard fortune's stings. 

And battled in doubt and strife. 
And never thought much of things 
Beyond this human life ; 
But I cannot think that my darling died 

Like great, strong men, with their prayers untrue- 
Nay, rather she sits at God's own side. 
And sings as she used to do ! 



llxtcb bopt bit bat)£ as an antl^or of tbt soul, bol^ snti anb stebfast, 
anb ixiljir^ futertt^ into tljat foitl^in tljt bt'iL" — Heb. vi, 19. 





Ci 



If and If. 



;F all the pity and love untold 

[ Could scatter abroad in coins of gold, 



There would not be, on the whole round earth. 
One hungry heart, nor one wretched hearth. 

And, oh, if the kind words never said 

Could bloom into flowers, and spread and shed 

Their sweetness out on the common air, 
The breath of heaven would be everywhere ! 

— MARY AINGE DE VERE. 



"§inii ll)is rommanbmcut babe fac from bim, Ebat \t hibo lofact^ (Sob 



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lobe l^is brother also." — i John iv, 21. 



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The Dying Girl and 
Flowers. 



EAR them not from grassy 
dells, 
t^^r, Where wild bees have 

honey cells ; 
Not from where sweet water- 
sounds 
Thrill the greenwood to its 

bounds ; 
Not to waste their scented 

breath 
On the silent room of Deat*h ! 

Kindred to the breeze 

they are, 
And the glow-worm's 

emerald star ; 



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THE DYING GIRL AND FLOWERS. 



And the bird, whose song is free 
And the many- whispering tree : 
Oh ! too deep a love, and fain, 
They would win to earth again. 

Spread them not before the eyes 
Closing fast on summer skies ! 
Woo thou not the spirit back 
From its lone and viewless track, 
With the bright things which have birth 
Wide o'er all the colored earth ! 

With the Violet's breath would rise 
Thoughts too sad for her who dies ; 
From the Lily's pearl-cup shed, 
Dreams too sweet would haunt her bed ; 
Dreams of youth — of spring-time eves — 
Music — beauty — all she leaves! 

Hush! 'tis thou that dreaming art, 
Calmer is her gentle heart. 
Yes ! o'er fountain, vale, and grove. 
Leaf and flower, hath gushed her love ; 
But that passion, deep and true, 
Knows not of a last adieu. 




toill botlj hv mz itofcoit in pn«, anir slcfp. 
— Psa; iv, 8. 



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^ 172 



THE DYING GIRL AND FLOWERS. 



Types of lovelier forms than these, 
In their fragile mould she sees ; 
Shadows of yet richer things, 
Born beside immortal springs, 
Into fuller glory wrought, 
Kindled by surpassing thought. 

Therefore in the Lily's leaf 
She can read no word of grief ; 
O'er the Woodbine she can dwell, 
Murmuring not — Farewell ! farewell ! 
And her dim, yet speaking eye. 
Greets the Violet solemnly. 

Therefore, once, and yet again, 
Strew them o'er her bed of pain : 
From her chamber take the gloom, 
With a light and flush of bloom : 
So should one depart, who goes 
Where no death can touch the Rose. 




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"I laib mt haban anb sltpt; | afaahrb; for tl)i ^orir sustaiiub mt." 
— Psa. iii, 5. 

Dw— — JC 



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My Prayer. 




(IVE me a song, and I will sing it ! 
Give me an offering, I will bring it ! 
Give me Thyself, and T will take Thee ! 
Withdraw Thyself, and I forsake Thee ! 
My land lies fallow : Master, till me ! 
My heart lies empty : Master, fill me! 
It plays the traitor : Master, win me ! 
It faints! it dies! Put new life in me! 
It goes astray : good Shepherd, lead me ! 
It sighs for hunger : come and feed me ! 
It is so poor! Give riches to me! 
It is corrupt : O Lord, renew me ! 
So ignorant ! Oh ! wilt Thou teach me ? 
Has wandered far ! But Thou can'st reach me : 
Is sore diseased : Physician, heal me ! 
Exposed to danger : oh, conceal me 1 
It trembles ! In Thine arms, oh, fold me ! 
Begins to sink ! O Saviour, hold me ! 



.^"a. 



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'|f nt abiht in me, anb mg faorbs abibe in nou, jje sball ask bbat j 
gt bill, anb it sljall ht bont unto non." — John xv, 7. ^ 




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174 



MY PRAYER. 




Is sinking fast ! Lord, look upon me ! 

So cold and dark ! Oh, shine upon me ! 

A poor, lost sinner ! Come and find me ! 

A rebel ! May Thy love now bind me ! 

A prodigal ! Wilt Thou receive me ? 

A beggar ! Oh ! wilt Thou relieve me ? 

A backslider ! Wilt Thou restore me ? 

Unholy! May Thy presence awe me! 

Unfit to die ! O God, prepare me ! 

So weak ! On eagles' wings, oh, bear me ! 

So comfortless ! I^ord Jesus, cheer me ! 

So lonely ! God of love, draw near me ! 

By sin accused! Good Lord, acquit me! 

Unfit for Heaven's pure service ! Fit me ! 

Unfit for work on earth ! But use me ! 

A suppliant ! Do not Thou refuse me ! 

Oh ! come and fill the hungry with good things, 

For Thou hast all I need, Thou King of kings ! 




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"^t ^at^ filkit iht bungrn feitl^ goob tl;i 
—Luke i, 53. 




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The Buried Flower. 



|N the silence of my chamber, 

When the night is still and deep, 
^ And the drowsy heave of ocean 
Mutters in its charmed sleep. 

Oft I hear the angel voices 

That have thrilled me long ago, — 

Voices of my lost companions, 
Lying deep beneath the snow. 

Where are now the flowers we tended ? 

Withered, broken, branch and stem ; 
Where are now the hopes we cherished ? 

Scattered to the winds with them. 



"^nir, btl^olir, angjls tame anit ministtrrb unto I^im. 
— Matt, iv, II. 



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THE BURIED FLOWER. 



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jtrg plant, febic^ mrt ^tnlrtnlw <#3tber batlj not plantsb, sl^all bt n 
roottb- up." — Matt, xv, 13. Jj<. 











THE BURIED FLOWER. 




For ye, too, were flowers, ye dear ones ! 

Nursed in hope and reared in love, 
Looking fondly ever upward 

To the clear blue heaven above ; 

Smiling on the sun that cheered us, 

Rising lightly from the rain. 
Never folding up your freshness 

Save to give it forth again. 
* * ♦ * « 

O, 't is sad to lie and reckon 

All the days of faded youth, 
All the vows that we believed in, 

All the words we spoke in truth. 

Severed, — were it severed only 
By an idle thought of strife, 

Such as time may knit together ; 
Not the broken chord of life ! 
***** 

O, I fling my spirit backward, 
And I pass o'er years of pain; 

All I loved is rising round me. 
All the lost returns atrain. 



C^S. 



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gj mrmorg of tht jnst is blessttr." 
— Prov. X, 7. 




'.r 180 



.^^. 



THE BURIED FLOWER. 




Brighter, fairer far than living, 

With no trace of woe or pain, 
Robed in everlasting beauty. 

Shall I see thee once again, 

By the light that never fadeth. 

Underneath eternal skies, 
When the dawn of resurrection 

Breaks o'er deathless Paradise. 

— WILLIAM EDMONSTOWNE AYTOUNE. 




^t |)0p£ 0£ tl^e rigbtions filjall br glabiuss. 
-Prov. X, 28. 



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Prayer. 



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'Y God! is any hour so sweet, 

From blush of morn to evening star, 
L^ As that which calls me to Thy feet — 
The hour of prayer. 

Blest is that tranquil hour of morn, 
And blest that hour of solemn eve. 

When on the wings of prayer upborne, 
The world I leave ! 

For then a dayspring shines on me, 
Brighter than moon's ethereal glow. 

And richer dews descend from Thee 
Than earth can know. 



-/fS^t^ 



— CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT. 



"^ tuill grair fattb i\z spirit, anb ^ fail! pran-fait^ t^c unbcrstanbing j 

also." — I Cor. xiv, 15. i* 

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Babes Always.' 



IS late — in my lone chamber, 

Borne through the echoing hall, 
I hear the wind's hoarse sobbing, 

The ra:in -drops' plashing fall ; 
And the street-lamp, on the ceiling, 

Throws many a weird-like form— 
Tree-shadows, dancing wildly 

To the music of the storm. 

Called I my vigil lonely ? 

The door is still and fast : 
O'er threshold and o'er carpet 

No mortal foot has passed 
No rustle of white raiment 

Or warm breath stirs the air ; 
Yet I speak aloud my greeting — 

"My darlings ! are you there ? " 



e not forgetful to rntrrtntix strangers; for tijjrebn some Inibe 
^nttrtainetr angrls nnatoarfs." — Heb. xiii, 2. 





cap- 



BABES ALWAYS. 




Not the two who, by me kneeling, 
Said, "Our Father," hours ago ; 




Whose cheeks now dent their pillows 
Live roses upon snow. 



"(SjECjpt we be tondertcb, antr become as little tl^ilbrcn, ue sl^all not li 
enter into tl)e hingboin of beabeu." — Matt, xviii, 3. -^ 



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184 



"BABES ALWAYS." 



They dream not of the graveyard 

And of the hillocks twain, 
Snow-heaped to-night (Lord help me !) 

And dripping with the rain ! 

Twelve years ! — a manly stripling. 

Our boy, by this had grown ! 
Is it four years, or twenty. 

Since I kissed the eyelids down 
Of her whose baby-sweetness 

Was a later gift from God, 
And straightened in the coffin 

Wee feet that never trod ? 

These are not strangers' glances 

That eagerly seek mine ; 
I know the loving straining 

Of the arms that round me twine. 
Thou hast kept them babes, O Father ! 

Who, not 'mid Heaven's bowers, 
Learning the speech of angels. 

Forget this home of ours ; 

Or her, who braved Death's anguish 

To win them to her breast. 
If they fled into the sunshine — 

Free birds from narrow nest — 



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' ©akt ^ttir t^at gt ittspise not one of t^est little ones. 
— Matt, xviii, lo. 



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BABES ALWAYS. 



187 -i; 



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They come to me when longing 
And pain are at their height, 

To tell me of the safety, 
The love and the delight 

l/i.l 




Of that eternal dwelling, 
• (With our name upon the door !) 
The ring of baby-voices 
Shall gladden evermore ; 



"Suffjr litth tbilirren ia tamt ttnlo me, unit ioth'ih tbtm not: iat of 
sucl^ is t^£ kingtrom of ^oJj." — Luke xviii, i6. 

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"babes always. 



Till, 'neath their tender soothing, 
I lift my heart and smile. 

And gather faith and courage 
To bide my "little while." 




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" IJ^ettbjr tan ihtn bic aitir more : for t^t» are equal unto t^e Hugrls." i r 
— Luke XX, 36. 4f^ 









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Be Kind and Forgiving. 



HANK God, that in life's little day, 

Between our dawn and setting, 
We have kind deeds to give away ; 
Sad hearts for which our own may pray, 
And strength, when we are wronged, to stay, 

Forgiving and forgetting. 

We are all travelers, who throng 

A thorny road together ; 
And if some pilgrim not so strong 
As I, but foot-sore, does me wrong, 
I'll make excuse — the road is long. 

And stormy is the weather. 

What comfort will it yield the day 
Whose light shall find us dying, 

To know that once we had our way, 

Against a child of weaker clay. 

And bought our triumph in the fray 
With purchase of his sighing. 



"d^orgi&e, anir gt s^all ht forgtbtn." 
—Luke vi, 37. 





The Glorified. 



WHERE are they, the saintly, 

That oft with me have trod. 
With each returning Sabbath, 

The holy courts of God ? 
With whom I took sweet counsel. 

When with one heart we came 
To worship at his altars, 

And speak the sacred name. 




With these still, peaceful moments 

Fond memories oft come back 
Of faces that once gladdened 

Life's all too shaded track ; 
Again I hear their voices ; 

Once more I catch their smile ; 
I greet them in the vision 

And clasp them as erewhile ! 



gi ht not glotl^ful, but follofejrs ai t\tm h\a tl^rong^ faitlj 
anir palienti inljtrit i\t promises." — Heb. vi, 12. 






^V) 




THE GLORIFIED. 




191 



Ah ! they are with the blessed, • 

Earth's weary travails past ; 
And where they need no temple, 

Exulting serve at last ; 
To do God's will they cease not, 

Yet evermore they rest ; 
All tireless as the angels, 

They evermore are blest. 

Robed in its summer glories 

This earth to-day is fair. 
But one eternal beauty 

Blooms ever faultless there ; 
Here mortal vigor faileth, 

Is lost in quick decay ; 
There life's full fount o'erfloweth 

And wasteth not away. 

Oft, oft my spirit yearneth 

To reach that goodly land ; 
To join the grand assembly, 

God's own immortal band ; 
To see in clear, full vision, 

Him whom I love unseen, 
Yet must I wait ; uiiparted 

Hangs the dark veil between. 



V T^ttsemt 8^aII go fait^ i^tt, anb | foill gifae t^tt ttui." 
— Exod. xxxiii, 14. 




i^2 



192 



THE GLORIFIED. 



^ 



^.)B 



O welcome the glad rising 

Of that bright, blissful morn, 
When, life's long toils all ended, 

Its latest evening gone, 
Thou, Lord, the veil dividing, 

Shalt bid me come to thee ; 
And I, with all thy ransomed, 

Shall serve eternally ! 

But till that summons cometh — 

The years will not be long — 
What ills soe'er befall me, 

All patient, faithful, strong, 
Let me in love still serving. 

Without one lingering fear. 
Tread on my way unshrinking, 

Till thy kind voice I hear. 

O blessed, blessed meeting, 

With those who in thee died ! 
With faithful saints and martyrs 

Who for thee death defied ! 
Methinks when their full chorus, 

That mighty host shall raise, 
Each farthest star shall echo, 

The hymns of rapturous praise ! 

— RAY PALMER, D. D. 



" ^at nain toe sw tl^rongl^ a glass, trarklg; bwttl^en fact to face." 

— I Cor. xiii, 12. ^ 






'^ 





Only. 



l^\sNLY a mortal's powers, 

Weak at their fullest strength ; 
Only a few swift -flashing hours, 
Short at their fullest length. 

Only a page for the eye, 
Only a word for the ear, 

Only a smile, and by and by 
Only a quiet tear. 

Only one heart to give. 

Only one voice to use ; 
Only one little life to hve, 

And only one to lose. 

Poor is my best, and small ; 

How could I dare divide ? 
Surely my Lord shall have it all, 

He shall not be denied! 



"Ucitl^tr rount ^ mn life bear unto mnself. 
— Acts XX, 24. 



w 




iw!:£^ 



194 






ir®r- 



ONLY. 



All ! for far more I owe 
Than all I have to bring ; 

All! for my Saviour loves me so! 
All! for I love my King! 

All ! for it is His own, 

He gave the tiny store ; 
All! for it must be His alone; 

All ! for I have no more. 

All ! for the last and least 

He stoopeth to uplift : 
The altar of my great High Priest 

Shall sanctify my gift. 




— FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. 



In Boul sljall make I^tr boast in tljt ^ort>. 
— Psa. xxxiv, 2. 






^ 




The Shepherd's Voice. 



HEY hear His voice ! 

It is their Shepherd's, and they know it well. 

They follow Him, 
Where'er He leads, Shepherd of Israel. 

A stranger-voice 
They know not, love not, follow not, but flee. 

One voice alone 
Attracts; 'tis His who said, "Come unto me." 

He knows His sheep. 
He counts them, and He calleth them by name, 

He goes before ; 
They follow as He leads, through flood or flame. 



"^g B^jeep ^jar mg ha'iu, anb | kitofa) ihtm, anii i\it^ follofco mt." 

— John X, 27. > 

^^^^ ^cJ 






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% 




THE shepherd's VOICE. 



He leads them out, 
Into the pastures green, by waters still. 

He leads them in ; 
And guards them safe within the fold from ill. 

O wise and good, 
O strong and loving One, mighty to save ; 

Thine own Thou wilt 
Still keep and bring them up from the deep grave. 

No want is theirs ; 
Thy fulness at their side doth ever stand ; 

No peril theirs. 
For none can ever pluck them from Thy hand. 

And when this day 
Of storm and scattering is ended here, 

Thou wilt bring them 
To greener pastures and to streams more clear. 

Amen, amen! 
Good Shepherd, hasten Thou that glorious day. 

When we shall all 
In the one fold abide with Thee for aye. 




^^^sty\ 



If 



"gtnij f gifae nnia tijjm iltrnal lift; mxii tljttr sI^U nebtt 
nnt^er s^all antr man pluth il^tm out of mg IjBn)>." — Johnx 

1^\ I ^(M t 



t, 28. ^^ 



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Vi;3 I *N(gf — 



THE shepherd's VOICE. 



199 1 



Then in the midst 
And we delivered from all fear and sin ! 

No hunger more, 
No thirst, nor heat, upon these hills of green. 

O Lamb of God, 
True Shepherd and true Lamb, Thou both in one ; 

Us lead, us feed. 
Till all our wandering's done, we reach the throne. 

— H. BONAR, D. D. 




"^e sait^ nnto Inm, J'ccb^ mn lambs. 
— John xxi, 15. 






(Z\ '■ 



The Vaudois Missionary. 



I>ADY fair, these silks of mine 

Are beautiful and rare — 
The richest web of the Indian loom. 

Which beauty's self might wear. 
And these pearls are pure and mild to behold. 

As with radiant light they vie ; 
I have brought them with me a weary way : 

"Will my gentle lady buy ? " 



■ I » > ' ■-"^> 






"'i tonnsel il^n to bun of me golb tthh in the fire, il^^i t\^avi maucst 
^ be ritb." — Rev. iii, i8. „ 

; jcM 



» 4 ' < ♦ ! • 



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^^2 



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W 



THE VAUDOIS MISSIONARY. 




The lady smiled on the woiti old man, 

Through the dark and clustering curls 
Which veiled her brow, as she bent to view 

His silk and glittering pearls : 
She placed their price in the old man's hand, 

And lightly turned away ; 
But she paused at the wanderer's earnest call — 

"My gentle lady, stay!" 

" Oh lady fair, I have yet a gem 

Which a purer lustre flings 
Than the diamond flash of the jewelled crown 

On the lofty brow of kings : 
A wonderful pearl of exceeding price. 

Whose virtue shall not decay ; 
Whose light shall be as a spell to thee, 

And a blessing on thy way ! " 

The lady glanced at the mirroring steel, 

Where her youthful form was seen, 
Where her eyes shone clear, and her dark locks waved 

Their clasping pearls between ; 
'* Bring forth thy pearl of exceeding worth, 

Thou traveler gray and old, 
Name but the price of thy precious gem, 

And my pages shall count thy gold." 



JO, b^en ^e l^a!) founb ont pcnrl of great price, feent anb solb all 
l^at \t ^ab, anb bought it." — Matt, xiii, 46. 





/E^ 



^^), 



THE VAUDOIS MISSIONARY. 



The cloud went off from the pilgrim's brow, 

As a small and meagre book, 
Unchased with gold or diamond gem, 

From his folding robe he took : 
"Here, lady fair, is the pearl of price — 

May it prove as such to thee ! 
Nay, keep thy gold — I ask it not — 

For the word of God is free." 

The hoary traveler went his way, 

But the gift he left behind 
Hath had its pure and perfect work 

On that high-born maiden's mind ; 
And she hath turned from her "pride of sin 

To the lowliness of truth. 
And given her human heart to God 

In its beautiful hour of youth. 

And she hath left the old gray walls 

Where an evil faith hath power. 
The courtly knights of her father's train. 

And the maidens of her bower ; 
And she hath gone to the Vaudois vale, 

By lordly feet untrod, 
Where the poor and needy of earth are rich 

In the perfect love of God! 



Ah 



"gja, tame, bujj fcoint anb milk ioitbout ntoneg nnts bo'itl^ani jjricj." 
— Isa. Iv, I. 




-^C5^ 



^ 




Out of the Deeps. 



|Y the wild billows overwhelmed, 
Tossed on the stormy wave, 
Thou who dost know when sparrows fall, 
Stretch forth thine arm to save. 

Against my unprotected face 

Is dashed the bitter spray ; 
The slender spar my hands had grasped, 

The storm-tides wrench away. 

Mine eyes across the watery waste 
Have strained for sight of land ; 

But there is never shore nor sail, 
Nor hope of helping hand. 



"§!trj not fibc sparrofcos solb for IImo fartlnngs, artb not one of tbem 
is forgotten btfori (So5>?" — Luke xii, 6. 




VV 




^o 



r 204 



OUT OF THE DEEPS. 



Strange birds swoop 'neath the leaden sky, 

And circle round my head, 
Waiting impatiently till I 

(Ah, ghastly thought !) am dead. 

The cruel rocks rise just ahead — 

My strength is nearly gone ; 
One of us, grim old Death, must lose 

This fight before the dawn. 

How dear hath gi-own this slighted life ! 

From gates of Paradise, 
Already opening, to Earth, 

I turn with yearning cries. 

The terrors of the night approach ! 

Too weak to longer strive. 
Again to Thee my prayers I breathe : 

Sweet Saviour, let me live ! 




— LULU M, W. 




" ^fcxx not thttdaxt: jji are of mort bitlue tban manir spurrofas." 
-^T^ — Luke xii, 7. 

^ti^v 

^< * ! • - 





Gf% 




Lead, Kindly Light 



^(^EAD kindly Light ! amid the encircling gloom, 
Lead thou me on ; 
The night is dark, and I am far from home, 

Lead thou me on ; 
Keep thou my feet ; I do not ask to see 
The distant scene ; one step enough to me. 

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou 

Should' St lead me on ; 
I loved to choose and see my path ; but nov/ 

Lead thou me on ; 
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears, 
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years. 

So long thy power has blessed me, sure it still 

Will lead me on 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 

The night is gone ; 
And with the morn those angel faces smile 
Which I have long since, and lost awhile. 



^ 



— NEWMAN. 




"SC^at faas tl^e ixnt ^ig^t, fo^itl^ lijbt^tb ebtrjj man tijal tcmtt^ into j 
t^e foorliJ." — John i, 9. ^^ 



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^^ 



J^f Dawn. 




(rondeau.) 
T dawn of day, when cow-bells ring, 
O'er mellowing meadow-lands, where cling 
The clover-scented wreaths of mist, 
Half pearl in hue, half amethyst, 
Glad sky-bound larks leap up and sing. 

And so my heart doth heavenward spring, 
When, like some virginal queen, you bring 

Fresh, opening buds by zephyrs 
kissed. 
At dawn of day. 



"gi.nir \t sl^iall rist ttp at tl^t haxtt ai i\t birb. 
— Eccl. xii, 4. 




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AT DAWN. 



207 



The breath, the balm, the glow you fling. 
Like dew-drops from some bright bird's wing, 

Thrill all my being, as I list 

To melodies which must desist 
When night -fall hath discrowned me, king 

At dawn of day. — ^JOHN morgan. 




I "^ul if a man foalh in \\t nig^t, \t stamblrt^, because i\ttz is rxa 1 1 1 
<:^ ^'9^^ '" ^im."— John xi, lo. ^tL 



^r" 




In the Fourth Watch of the Night 



'O, in the moonless night, 
In the rough wind's despite, 

They ply the oar. 
Keen gusts smite in their teeth ; 
The hoarse winds chafe beneath 

With muffled roar. 

Numb fingers, failing force, 
Scarce serve to hold the course 

Hard-won half-way. 
When o'er the tossing tide. 
Pallid and heavy-eyed. 

Scowls the dim day. 



" gittir in tiji; iaaxi'^ ixszic^ ai tht nigl^t ftSBS faeitl unto ll^em, foalking 
on t^e sia." — Matt, xiv, 25. 





<^r) 



^^*- 



Ir 



IN THE FOURTH WATCH OF THE NIGHT. 



209 



And now in the wan light, 
Walking the waters white, 

A shape draws near. 
Each soul, in troubled wise. 
Staring with starting eyes. 

Cries out for fear. 

Each grasps his neighbor tight, 
In helpless huddled fright 

Shaken and swayed. 
And lo ! the Master nigh 
Speaks softly, "It is I j 

Be not afraid." 

E'en so to us, that strain 
Over life's moaning main. 

Thou drawest near, 
And, knowing not thy guise. 
We gaze with troubled eyes. 

And cry for fear. 

A strange voice whispers low, 

" This joy must thou forego, 

Thy first and best. " 






"§e of gaob c\ttt; it is f ; he not afraib. 
— Matt, xiv, 27. 



si 



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^ 



210 



IN THE FOURTH WATCH OF THE NIGHT. 




A shrouded phantom stands 
Crossing the best-loved hands, 
For church-yard rest. 

Then, soft as is the fall 
Of that white gleaming pall 

By snowflakes made, 
Stilling each startled cry. 
Thou speakest, " It is I ; 

Be not afraid. " 



'GOOD WORDS.' 




^vSJr" 



""§( not afratb, onig btlit&e. 
— Mark v, 36. 




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^**- 



ir 




The Sunlight 



T gently brought to a darkened world 

The tidings of coming day, 
i And awakened earth with a loving call 
To straightway arise and pray. 



It tenderly entered where death had been, 
And shone on the marble brow, 

Softly reminding each mourners heart 
Of " the crown of glory now." 

It paused awhile in the forest glade, 
To strengthen a lowly flower, 

And bid it show in its own sweet way, 
God's care through its little hour. 

And thence it passed to a widow's home, 
To illumine with gleams of gold 

The sacred words of a promised "rest," 
It found in her Bible old. 




"^tint, g^ine; iat t^ia ligl^t is carat, anb t^t glorg of tl^e 'gaxh is 
xhin npon t^tt." — Isa. Ix, i. 



^^ 







THE SUNLIGHT. 



It lingered long by a dying babe, 
Who smiled at its golden ray, 

And the mother gave with a lighter heart 
Her child to the Lord that day. 

It made its way to a gloomy cell, 

Right on to the prison floor. 
And sang of life in a brighter world, 

Where fetters shall be no more. 

Ah ! who can tell all the sunlight did. 
Through that glorious summer day, 

Or how the earth became cold and dark 
When the last streak died away ? 

But let us ask. Do we also shine 
With glory from Christ our Sun ? 

Will aught we do in the world for him 
Be missed when life is done ? 




C^>) 



■+^ 






d/h 




"^ut t^e ^orir s'^all be unto i^n an jijerlasting ligljl, anb- tijn *^°^ 
t^2 Slorjr." — Isa. Ix, 19. 




The Death of the Righteous, 



\ EHOLD the western evening light ! 
It melts in deepening gloom : 
So calmly Christians sink away, 
Descending to the tomb. 

The winds breathe low, the withering leaf 
Scarce whispers from the tree : 

So gently flows the parting breath 
When good men cease to be. 

How beautiful in all the hills 

The crimson light is shed ! 
'Tis like the peace the Christian gives 

To mourners round his bed. 



zv t^at bfaell in: tlje lanb- of t^t sl^abofa at ireat!^, upon t^em batlj i 
t\^z lig^t sljincir." — Isa. ix, 2. ^ 

^i jcM 







*1^ 






THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 



How mildly on the wandering cloud 

The sunset beam is cast ! 
'Tis like the memory left behind 

When loved ones breathe their last. 

And now above the dews of night 

The rising star appears : 
So faith springs in the heart of those 

Whose eyes are bathed in tears. 

But soon the morning's happier light 

Its glory shall restore, 
And eyelids that are sealed in death 

Shall wake to close no more. 




-PEABODY. 



^en sl^all il^g ligljt br«ah fort^ as i^z morning,' 
— Isa. Iviii, 8. 






Rest 



HOU for Thyself hast made us, 
O holy Lord! 
And by Thy gi-ace hast stayed us 
Upon Thy Word. 
Body, and soul, and spirit — all these are only Thine : 
All bear alike the impress of ownership divine ; 
And though the coin shows dimly — 

Because of rust — 
It bears Thy superscription, 
And ever must. 

Our hearts can know no resting, 

Except in Thee ; 
Our barks the waves are breasting 

On life's rough sea ; 
Body, and soul, and spirit, are daily worn with care, 
The "covert of Thy wing" is sought — the needed rest is there; 
And though the toil cease only 

When Life is won ; 
In Thee our rest remaineth, 

O Christ, the Son. 




Slessttj are i\z biab' fobttlj Vn in i\t ^orb-." 
— Rev. xiv, 13. 






Passing. 



HAT ship is this comes sailing 
Across the harbor bar, 
So strange, yet half familiar 
With treasure from afar ? 
O comrades, shout ; good bells, ring out ; 
Peal loud your merry din ! 
O, joy! At last across the bay 
My ship comes sailing in ! " 

Men said in low whispers, 

"It is the passing bell ; 

At last his toil is ended. " 

They prayed, "God rest him well!" 

"Ho, captain, my captain! 
What store have you on board ? " 
"A treasure far richer 
Than gems or golden hoard ; 



"^«t lag Kp for jjoarsElfres treasures in l^eaben. 
— Matt, vi, 20. 






^<> 



X.1 




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PASSING. 



The broken promise welded firm, 

The long-forgotten kiss ; 

The love more worth than all on earth. 

All joys life seemed to miss." 
The watchers sighed softly, 
" It is the death change. 
What vision blest has given 
That rapture deep and strange ? " 

' O captain, dear captain. 

What forms are those I see 

On deck there beside you ? 

They smile and beckon me. 

And soft voices call me — 

Those voices sure I know ! " 

"All friends are here that you held dear 

In the sweet long ago. " 

"The death smile," they murmured; 
"It is so passing sweet, 
We scarce have heart to hide it 
Beneath the winding-sheet. " 

"O captain, I know you! 
Are you not Christ the Lord ? 
With light heart, and joyous, 
I hasten now on board. 




'gtnb, btl^ollj, (Sob bimstif is fDitlj us for our taptain." 

— 2 Chron. xiii, 12. ,-^T,r^ 



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<^r) 



'" 220 



Ji 






?»-fr- 



^ 



PASSING. 




Set sail, set sail before the gale, 
Our trip will soon be o'er : 
To-night we'll cast our anchor fast 
Beside the heavenly shore." 

Men sighed, "Lay him gently 
Beneath the heavy sod. " 
The soul afar beyond the bar 
Went sailing on to God. 



— ALICE WILLIAMS EROTHERTON. 




3ut is pHSScit from Ijcat^uuto life." 
— John V, 24. 











New Year's Wishes. 



'HAT shall I wish thee ? 
Treasm^es of earth ? 
Songs in the springtime, 

Pleasure and mirth ? 
Flowers on thy pathway, 

Skies ever clear ? 
Would this ensure thee 
A Happy New Year ? 

What shall I wish thee ? 

What can be found 
Bringing thee sunshine 

All the year round ? 
Where is the treasure, 

Lasting and dear, 
That shall ensure thee 

, A Happy New Year ? 




"^ man tnn tutibe noticing, ttcept it bt gibtn bim from ^jaben." i 

—John iii, 27. ^ 



^r- 




Faith that increaseth, 

Walking in light ; 
Hope that aboundeth, 

Happy and bright ; 
Love that is perfect, 

Casting out fear ; 
These shall ensure thee 

A Happy New Year. 

Peace in the Saviour, 

Rest at His feet. 
Smile of His countenance 

Radiant and sweet, 
Joy in His presence! 

Christ ever near ! 
This will ensure thee 

A Happy New Year ! 



— ^FRANCES RIDLEy HAVERGAL. 





"gitth to knofe i^t lofat oi Christ, fo^ic^ passitl^ knofeUbge, tijat j* jj, 
mig^ bt filkh fait^ all t^£ fulniss of @oit." — Eph. iii, 19. aT. 









Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. 



f OLDEN head so lowly bending, 
Little feet so white and bare, 
Dewy eyes, half shut, half opened, 
Lisping out her evening prayer. 

"Now I lay," — repeat it, darling- 
" Lay me," lisped the tiny lips 

Of my daughter, kneeling, bending 
O'er the folded finger tips. 



I.. 



'^e ge thttdait follofajcrs of (Soit, as bear t^ilirrtn. 
— Eph. V, I. 



' I » > ■> 



— \CS71 



^/ 




NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP. 




"Down to sleep," — "To sleep," she murmured, 

And the cui-ly head bent low ; 
"I pray the Lord," I gently added, 

"You can say it all, I know." 

" Pray the Lord," — the sound came faintly, 
Fainter still — " My soul to keep ;" 

Then the tired heart fairly nodded, 
And the child was fast asleep. 

■* 
But the dewy eyes half opened 

When I clasped her to my breast, 

And the dear voice softly whispered, 

"Mamma, God knows all the rest." 

Oh, the trusting, sweet confiding 
Of the child-heart ! Would that I 

Thus might trust my Heavenly Father, 
He who hears my feeblest cry. 

O, the rapture, sweet, unbroken, 
Of the soul who wrote that prayer ! 

Children's myriad voices floating 
Up to Heaven, record it there. 



"@ut of i\t x&axiX\ of bnbes anb satKIings l^ast t^ou orbaintb 
n^\ strtngtij." — Psa. viii, 2. 



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NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP. 




225 



If, of all that has been written, 

I could choose what might be mine, 

It should be that child's petition, 
Rising to the tluone divine. 




"Srust in tbe ^orb, anb 'ba goob." 
— Psa. xxxvii, 3. 



fsiSr 





/ Go to Life. 



GO to life and not to death j 

From darkness to life's native sky. 
I go from sickness and from pain 

To health and immortality. 
Let our farewell then he tearless. 

Since I bid farewell to tears ; 
Write this day of my departure 

Festive in your coming years. 

I go from poverty to wealth, 

From rags to raiment angel-fair, 
From the pale leanness of this flesh 

To beauty such as saints shall wear. 
Let our farewell then be tearless. 

Since I bid farewell to tears ; 
"Write this day of my departure 

Festive in your coming years. 




"1 Htti tamt ihu\ W^fa might Ijafi* lif*. 
— John X, lo. 



J 



Sp^ 



^ 



1 r 



I GO TO LIFE. 



I go from chains to liberty, 

These fetters will be broken soon ; 
Forth over Eden's fragrant fields 

I walk beneath a glorious noon 
Let our farewell then be tearless, 

Since I bid farewell to tears ; 
Write this day of my departure 

Festive in your coming years. 

For toil there comes the crowned rest ; 

Instead of burdens, eagle's wings ; 
And I, even I, this life-long thirst 

Shall quench at everlasting springs. 
Let our farewell then be tearless. 

Since I bid farewell to tears ; 
Write this day of my departure 

Festive in your coming years. 

God lives ! Who says that I must die ? 

I cannot, while Jehovah liveth ! 
Christ lives ! I cannot die, but live ; 

He life to me for ever giveth. 
Let our farewell then be tearless, 

Since I bid farewell to tears ; 
Write this day of my departure 

Festive in your coming years, 




227 



H. BONAR, D. D. 



"^ut tl^t gift of (Sob is tttrnal life t^rouglj |tsus Christ our ^orJj." 
— Rom, vi, 23. 



&<^ 



LL 



■^Sci 



^ 




Old Age. 



^jfpLING down the faded blossoms of the spring, 
niji Nor clasp the roses with regretful hand ; 
The joy of summer is a vanished thing ; 
Let it depart, and learn to understand 
The gladness of great calm — the autumn rest. 
The Peace — of human joys the latest and the best. 

Ah! I remember how in early days 

The primrose and the wild-flower gi-ew beside 

My tangled forest paths, whose devious ways 
Filled me with joys of mysteries untried. 

And terror that was more than half delight, 

And sense of budding life, and longings infinite. 

And I remember how, in Life's hot noon, 
Around my path the lavish roses shed 



^L 



"^Tarh'^t^j perftd man, anb bel^olh i\t uprig'^t : for tlje tnb- ai 
man is ptaii." — Psa. xxxvii, 37. 

3 k '. i 




Lr OLD AGE. 229 



Color and fragrance, and the air of June 

Breathed rapture — now those summer days are fled ; 

Days of sweet peril, when the serpent lay 
Lurking at every turn of life's enchanted way. 

The light of spring, the summer's glow are o'er, 

And I rejoice in knowing that for me 
The woodbine and the roses bloom no more. 

The tender green is gone from field and tree ; 
Brown barren sprays stand clear against the blue, 
And leaves fall fast, and let the truthful sunlight through. 

For me the hooded herbs of autumn grow, • 
Square-stemmed and sober ; mint and sage, 

Horehound and balm — such plants as healers know ; 
And the decline of life's long pilgrimage 

Is soft and sweet with marjoram and thyme, 

Bright with pure evening dew, not serpents' glittering slime. 

And around my path the aromatic air 

Breathes health and perfume, and the turfy ground 
Is soft for weary feet, and smooth and fair 

With little thornless blossoms that abound 
In safe dry places, where the mountain side 
Lies to the setting sun, and no ill beast can hide. 




G<'^ 



"Sl^tg s^all gtill bring forth fruit in oIi> age; tljcjr s^all be fat anb 
flonris^tng." — Psa. xcii, 14. 







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r 230 



OLD AGE. 




What is there to regret ? Why should I mourn 
To leave the forest and the marsh behind, 

Or towards the rank, low meadows sadly turn ? 
Since here another loveliness I find, 

Safer and not less beautiful — and blest 

With glimpses, faint and far, of the long-wished-for Rest. 

And so I drop the roses from my hand, 

And let the thorn-pricks heal, and take my way 

Down hill, across a fair and peaceful land 
Lapt in the golden calm of dying day — 

Glad that the night is near, and glad to know 

That, rough or smooth the way, I have not far to go. 




"^ gonit nnme is httttt t^an prerious ointment; nxva t^t bag of bjall^ 
tl^an t^« bag of one's birt^." — Eccl. vii, i. 

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The Guardian Angel. 



WANDERED through a forest lone, 
I met a fair young child, 
"My little one, art not afraid, 

The wood is drear and wild ? " 

She shook her sunny waving curls, 

And looked at me and smiled. 



" Nay, but I am not all alone," 
Still reverent answered she, 

"An angel walketh by my side. 
Though him I can not see ; 

And he would tell of it in heaven. 
If ought should injure me. 

" He's ever near, and tenderly 
A loving watch doth keep ; 



^'^ 



"fit l^tabjn Ibtir angels ha albntts bcbolir tbc face of mij J^ati^ir 
faljklj is in ^eaben." — Matt, xviii, lo. 






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234 



THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. 



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And with his great white downy wings 

He fanneth me to sleep." 
"Nay, child, 'tis but the summer wind 

That through the trees doth creep." 

" When I am wearied out with play, 

And sit me down to rest, 
My guardian angel lets me lie 

So gently on his breast." 
"Nay, child, 'tis but the velvet moss 
Thy little form hath pressed." 

"And when the sunlight quivers fair 

Upon each leafy spray, 
My angel on his golden harp 

Sweet tunes for me doth play." 
"Nay, through the woods in summer time, 

The wild bees hum all day. " 

" Or often as I sit and watch 

The wild dove on the wing, 
I hear my angel's silver voice 

A solemn anthem sing." 
" Nay, child, 'tis ocean's distant roar, 

Through the forest murmuring." 




" ^t^oltj, I senb an angtl bdaiz lljte, ta hup t^ee in il^e 
— Exod. xxiii, 20. 









isr- 



THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. 



235 



"Nay, nay, through life my mother says 

He will be ever nigh, 
But I shall never see his face 

Until I come to die. 
And then he'll bear me in his arms 

Unto our God on high. " 

I turned me from that trusting child. 
Who put my faith to shame, 

And to my heart these ancient words 
Of holy Scripture came : 

" The angel of the Lord encamps 
Round those that fear his name." 





"^\t angji of tbe ITorJr tntampttb ronnb about t\tm i\p.i ftar ^im." 
— Psa. xxxiv, 7. 



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For Good or III ? 



iNLYaword! 

Yet it bore on its holy breath 

A message that God had given 
To kindly warn from the ways of Death— 

And a soul was led to Heaven, 

Only a word ! 
Spoken in scorn by lips that smiled, 

But a haunting doubt's black shade 
Was cast in the trusting heart of a child, 

And a life-long darkness made. 

Only a word ! 
Yet there lay in its heart, enshrined 

Like the germ of a tiny seed, 
A thought that fell in an earnest mind. 

And grew to a noble deed. 




"^ feorij fitig spoktn is likt applrs of golir in pichius of silbtr." 

— Prov. XXV, II. -^ 




^•+- 



FOR GOOD OR ILL? 




Only a word ! 
No more widely the ocean parts 

Land from land with its ebb and flow, 
Than one false word severed kindly hearts 

That loved, in the long ago. 

Only a word '. 
The whispered "Amen" of a prayer. 

But it flew, like a swift-winged dove, 
From the stormy depths of a soul's despair, 

To the Father's heart of love. 

Only a word! 
Oh, choose it wisely, weigh it well ; 

Send it forth with love and faith ; 
It may be, the message one word can tell, 

Will rescue a soul from death. 



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"^ faorb spoken in tint season, bofn goob is it! " 
— Prov. XV, 23. 



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fijiyATHER, where'er my feet may stray, 
Or whether in the cloud or sun, 
Still teach me trustingly to pray 
" Thy will be done." 

And if the darkness fill the night, 
Whenever day its course has run ; 

Or whether gloom be mine, or light, 
"Thy will be done." 

I fain would by thy hand be led, 
Till at the last, life's conflict won, 

My trembling lips have dying said, 
" Thy will be done. " 



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fcoill bt bone in eartlj, as it is in ^JHbt«. 
— Matt, vi, lo. 



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THY WILL. 




239 



And guided to the unseen land, 

When earth is past, and heaven begun, 

In thine I fain would lay my hand ; 
" Thy will be done." 

Father, I know that in thy care 

Are all my ways. Till sets life's sun, 

O teach me patiently to bear ! 
" Thy will be done. " 

— E. NORMAN GUNNISON. 




'^ot as I (tiill, but as tbou feiilt." 
— Matt, xxvi, 39. 



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Good-Night Wishes. 



I BLESSING on my babes to-night ; 
ifm- A blessing on tJieir mother ; 

\?Sr A. blessing on my kinsmen light. 
Each loving friend and brother. 



A blessing on the toiler's rest ; 

The over-woi'n and weary ; 
The desolate and comfortless, 

To whom the earth is dreary. 



"S;i)e blessing of Ibc f orir bs upon gou. 
— Psa. cxxix, 8. 





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GOOD-NIGHT WISHES. 




241 



A blessing on the glad to-night ; 

A blessing on the hoary ; 
The maiden clad in beauty bright, 

The young man in his glory. 

A blessing on my fellow-race, 
Of every clime and nation ; 

May they partake His saving grace 
Who died for our salvation. 

If any man have wrought me wrong. 
Still blessing be upon him ; 

May I in love to him be strong, 
Till charity has won him. 

Thy blessings on me, from of old, 
My God, I cannot number ; 

I wrap me in their ample fold. 
And sink in trustful slumber. 



— THOMAS MACKELLAR. 



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jltsst'is is be ibat bUssttI) tbct." 
— Num. xxiv, 9. 




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Beyond. 



^EYOND life's toils and cares, 
Its hopes and joys, its weariness and sorrow, 
Its sleepless nights, its days of smiles and tears, 
Will be a long sweet life, unmarked by years. 
One bright, imending morrow ! 

Beyond Time's troubled stream, 
Beyond the chilling waves of death's dark river. 
Beyond life's lowering clouds and fitful gleams. 
Its dark realities and brighter dreams — 

A beautiful forever. 

No aching hearts are there, 
No tear-dimmed eye, no form by sickness wasted. 
No cheek gi-own pale through penury or care. 
No spirits crushed beneath the woes they bear. 

No sighs for bliss untasted. 



talleir as unto bis Eternal glorg bg dtl^rist f jsits." 

— I Peter v, lo. ^ 



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BEYOND. 




No sad farewell is heard, 
No lonely wail for loving ones departed, 
No dark remorse is there o'er memories stirred, 
No smile of scorn, no harsh or cruel word 

To grieve the broken-hearted. 

No long dark night is there, 
No light from sun or silvery moon is given ; 
But Christ, the Lamb of God, all bright and fair, 
Illumes the city with effulgence rare, 

The glorious light of heaven ! 

No mortal eye hath seen 
The glories of that land beyond that river. 
Its crystal lakes, its fields of living green, 
Its fadeless flowers, and the unchanging sheen 

Around the throne forever. 

Ear hath not heard the song 
Of rapturous praise within that shining portal ; 
No heart of man hath dreamed what joys belong 
To that redeemed and happy blood-washed throng, 

All glorious and immortal. 



"^nJ> so Bbnll toe tbtt be fait^ llje ^orir. 
— I Thes. iv, 17. 








The Time for Prayer. 



MijTHEN is the time for prayer ? 

With the first beams that light the morning sky, 
Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare, 

Lift up thy thoughts on high ; 
Commend thy loved ones to His watchful care ; 

Morn is the time for prayer. 

And in the noontide hour, 

If worn by toil, or by sad cares oppressed. 
Then unto God thy spirit's sorrow pour. 

And He will give thee rest ; 
Thy voice shall reach Him through the fields of air ; 

Noon is the time for prayer. 

When the bright sun hath set, 

While eve's bright colors deck the skies ; 




"(ffbietting, anir morning, anir at noon, toill | praw." 
— Psa. Iv, 17. 







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THE TIME FOR PRAYER. 




245 



When with the loved at home again thou'st met, 

Then let thy prayers arise ; 
For those who in thy joys and sorrows share, 

Eve is the time for prayer. 

And when the stars come forth — 

When to the trusting heart sweet hopes are given, 
And the deep stillness of the horn- gives birth 

To pm-e bright dreams of heaven ; 
Kneel to thy God — ask strength, life's ills to bear ; 

Night is the time for prayer. 

When is the time for prayer ? 

In every hour, while life is spared to thee ; 
In crowds or solitude, in joy or care, 

Thy thoughts should heavenward flee. 
At home, at morn and eve, with loved ones there. 

Bend thou the knee in prayer ! 




"^rajj fcoitl^out rtasing. 
— I Thes. V, 17. 





Roek of Ages. 



^ OCK of Ages, cleft for me "— 

Thoughtlessly the maiden sung, 
Fell the words unconsciously 

From her girlish, gleeful tongue ; 
Sang as little children sing ; 

Sang as sing the birds' in June ; 
Fell the words like light leaves down 

On the current of the tune — 
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee." 

"Let me hide myself in Thee," 
Felt her soul no need to hide : 

Sweet the. song as song could be — 
And she had no thought beside ; 



"%\z f^nrb is mjr roch anir mg fortrtss.' 
— Psa. xviii, 2. 







[K^r — 



All the words unheedingly 

Fell from lips untouched by care, 

Dreaming not they each might be 
On some other lips a prayer — 

" Rock of Ages, cleft for me " — 
Let me hide myself in Thee." 

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me" — 

'Twas a woman sung them now. 
Pleadingly and prayerfully ; 

Every word her heart did know. 
Rose the song as storm-tossed bird 

Beats with weary wing the air. 
Every note with sorrow stirred — 

Every syllable a prayer — 
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee. " 

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me" — 

Lips grown aged sung the hymn 
Trustingly and tenderly — 

Voice grown weak and eyes grown dim. 
"Let me hide myself in Thee" — 

Trembling though the voice and low, 
Ran the sweet strain peacefully. 

Like a river in its flow. 



Itt (§ob is il)t rotk of m» refuge." 
— Psa. xciv, 22. 



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248 



.^^ 






ROCK OF AGES. 



Sung as only they can sing, 

Who behold the promised rest — 

** Rock of Ages cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in Thee. " 

" Rock of Ages, cleft for me " — 

Sung above a coffin lid ; 
Underneath, all restfully, 

All life's joys and sorrows hid. 
Never more, O storm-tossed soul, 

Never more from wind or tide, 
Never more from billow's roll, 

Wilt thou need thyself to hide. 
Could the sightless, sunken eyes, 

Closed beneath the soft gray hair, 
Could the mute and stiffened lips 

Move again in pleading prayer, 
Still, aye, still, the words would be, 

"Let me hide myself in Thee." 



|e onl^ is mv rock anb m^ sslbation. 
— Psa. Ixii, 2. 



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To The Comforter. 



^IGHTY Comforter, to thee 
In our feebleness we flee ; 
Oh, unveil thy gracious face. 
Spread out all thy wondrous grace. 

Strengthener of the poor and weak, 
To thy power for strength we seek ; 
Heavenly fulness from above, 
O descend in blessed love. 

Patient Teacher of the blind, 
Opener of the sin-seal'd mind. 
Fix in us thy sure abode, 
And reveal the Christ of God. 



Guider of the erring feet 
In the waste or busy street, 

Lead us thro' life's Babel-crowds, 
Through its pathless solitudes. 



3iII not hubc vnw comfartlcss: | foill com£ to jiou. 
— John xiv, iS. 





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252 



TO THE COMFORTER. 



True Enricher of the poor, 

Enter thou our lowly door ; 
Let thy liberal hand impart 
Heavenly riches to our heart. 

Looser of the bonds of sin, 

Oh make haste and enter in ; 

Break each link, till there remains 
Not one fragment of our chains. 

Loving Spirit, come, oh come! 

Find in us thy endless home ; 
Find in this our world below 
A dwelling for thy glory now. 

Holy Light, upon us shine 
With thy energy divine ; 

Heavenly Brightness, break thou forth 

Over this benighted earth. 

With the eternal Father one, 

One with the eternal Son ; 
Eternal Spirit, thee we praise, 
Now and through eternal days. 




-HORA.TIUS BONAR, D. D. 



"IJotDbnt fri^tn \t, i\t Spirit of trutl^, is tome, ^e fnill guiirt gou i 
into all trutlj." — John xvl, 13. -^ 



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The E'en Brings a' Hame. 



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■PON the hills the wind is sharp and cold, 
The sweet young grasses wither on the wold, 
^ ll^ And we, O Lord ! have wander'd from Thy fold ; 
But evening brings us home. 

Among the mists we stumbled, and the rocks 
Where the brown lichen whitens, and the fox 
Watches the straggler from the scattered flocks ; 
But evening brings us home. 

The sharp thorns prick us, and our tender feet 
Are cut and bleeding, and the lambs repeat 
Their pitiful complaints — oh, rest is sweet 
When evening brings us home. 

We have been wounded by the hunters' darts ; 
Our eyes are very heavy, and our hearts 
Search for Thy coming — when the light departs 
At evening, bring us home. 






^ 254 



THE E EN BRINGS A HAME. 







The darkness gathers. Through the gloom no star 
Rises to guide us. We have wander'd far — 
Without Thy lamp we know not where we are ; 
At evening bring us home. 

The clouds are round us, and the snow-drifts thicken ; 
O Thou, dear Shepherd ! leave us not to sicken 
In the waste night ; our tardy footsteps quicken, 
At evening bring us home. 




Scljoltr I, ebzix f , (uill botlj scartlj m^ sljup, anh stth. thtm out." 
— Ezek. xxxiv, ii. 



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r/je Bird Let Loose. 



HE bird let loose in eastern skies, 

When hastening fondly home, 
Ne'er stoops to earth her wing, nor flies 

Where idle warblers roam ; 
But high she shoots through air and light, 

Above all low delay, 
Where nothing earthly bounds her flight, 

Nor shadow dims her way. 

So grant me, God, from every care 

And stain of passion free. 
Aloft, through Virtue's purer air, 

To hold my course to thee ! 
No sin to cloud, no lure to stay 

My soul as home she springs ; — 
Thy sunshine on her joyful way. 

Thy freedom in her wings ! 

— THOMAS MOORE. 



'Mboso ioalkjf^ uprigbtln shall ht aabeir." 
— Prov. xxviii, i8. 




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^^^M Heaven at Last. 




NGEL-VOICES sweetly singing, 
Echoes through the blue dpme 

ringing, 
News of wondrous gladness 
bringing ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last ! 

Now, beneath us all the grieving. 
All the wounded spirit's heaving, 
All the woe of hopes deceiving ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last! 

Sin for ever left behind us, 
Earthly visions cease to blind us, 
I leshly fetters cease to bind us ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last ! 



, iS / -■*'§>. ^ On the jasper threshold standing, 
r-'{j/*i'-Cr>ji^j;?^ Like a pilgi-im safely landing, 
wjCvy"!. /i 'V See, the sti'ange bright scene expand- 
ing; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last ! 



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^^ 




Heaven at Last 



lyTiy^'H AT a city ! what a glory ! 

Far beyond the brightest 

story 
Of the ages old and 
hoary ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last! 

Softest voices, silver-pealing, 
Freshest fragrance, spirit -healing, 
Happy hymns around us stealing : 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last! 

Gone the vanity and folly, 
Gone the dark and melancholy. 
Come the joyous and the holy ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last! 

Not a broken blossom yonder. 
Not a link can snap asunder, 
Stay'd the tempest, sheathed the 
thunder ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last ! 



:(i}r 




§s 



Not a tear-drop ever falleth, 
Not a pleasure ever palleth, 
Song to song for ever calleth ; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last! 

Christ himself the living splendor, 
Christ the sunlight mild and tender ; 
Praises to the Lamb we render; 

Ah, 'tis heaven at last! 

Now at length the veil is rended, 
Now the pilgrimage is ended. 
And the saints their thrones ascended ; 
Ah, 'tis heaven at last ! 

Broken death's dread bands that bound us, 
Life and victory around us ; 
Christ, the King, himself hath crown'd us ; 
Ah, 'tis heaven at last ! 



-HORATIUS BONAR, D. D. 




"§ut 2C «r« tome unta mount ^ion, anb unto tijt ritn- of i^t lifixng 
!^ (Sob, tht ^eabtnlu Itrusaltm." — Heb. xii, 22. fd 

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Jesu, Still the Storm. 



}ESU, still the storm! 
Only thou hast power, 
In this troubled hour, 
To bid our tremblings cease, 
And give our spirits peace. 
Jesu, still the storm ! 

Speak the potent word, 

" Peace, be still ! " and then 
Calm returns again ; 
Each billow hides its crest, 
And lays itself to rest. 

Speak the potent word ! 

Jesu, love us still ! 
Oh, love on, love on, 
As thou hast ever done ; 




"gi.nij l^e arose, anb rcbukcir t^i io'xnh, anb saib xuxto iht sm, 
^iiXct, hi still." — Mark iv, 39. 





JESU, STILL THE STORM. 




Oh love us to the end, 
Our one unchanging friend. 
Jesu, love us still ! 

Jesu, bless us still ! 
Bless us on and on, 
Till our heaven be won ; 
Oh bless us evermore. 
On thine ovi^n blessed shore. 

Jesu, bless us still ! 



-HORATIUS BONAR, D. D. 




"^f ^ob' be tat ws, in^a tan hz against ns ? ' 
— Rom. viii, 31. 




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The Grave. 



HERE is a calm for those who weep, 

A rest for weary pilgrims found, 

They softly lie and sweetly sleep 

Low in the ground. 

The storm that wrecks the winter sky 
No more disturbs their deep repose, 
Than summer-evening's latest sigh 

That shuts the rose. 

/ 

I long to lay this painful head 
And aching heart beneath the soil, 
To slumber in that dreamless bed 
From all my toil. 

For Misery stole me at my birth. 
And cast me helpless on the wild : 
I perish; — O my Mother Earth. 

Take home thy Child! 






N^r- 



tljat l^ou tooultrcst l^ibe m£ in t^e grab«. 
—Job xiv, 13. 




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264 



THE GRAVE. 



On thy dear lap these limbs reclined 
Shall gently moulder into thee ; 
Nor leave one wretched trace behind 
Resembling me. 

Hark ! a strange sound affrights mine ear, 
My pulse, — my brain runs wild, — I rave ; 
— Ah ! who art thou whose voice I hear ? 
— "I am the Grave! 

"The Grave, that never spake before, 
Hath found at length a tongue to chide ; 
O listen ! " "I will speak no more : — 
Be silent. Pride!" 

"Art thou a Wretch of hope forlorn, 
The victim of consuming care ? 
Is thy distracted conscience torn 
By fell despair ? 



" A bruised reed he Avill not break ; 
Afilictions all his children feel ; 
He wounds them for his mercy's sake, 
He wounds to heal. 



"ffilbom tht ^orb lobttb he cbHslturtji." 
— Heb. xii, 6. 



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1tr 



THE GRAVE. 



265 



"There is a calm for those who weep, 
A rest for weary Pilgrims found ; 
And while the mouldering ashes sleep 
Low in the ground. 




" The Soul, of origin divine, 
God's glorious image, freed from clay. 
In heaven's eternal sphere shall shine, 
A star of day. 

" The Sun is but a spark of fire, 
A transient meteor in the sky ; 
The Soul, immortal as its Sire, 
Shall never die." 



-JAMES MONTGOilEPwY. 



.^,^.-^-r^^^ 




^'WW^y 





The Tide. 



HE tide is out ! 

Low lie the dank sea-weeds. The life is gone 
That gave them strength to rise ; and now forlorn, 

Low from the rocks they lie, 
Waiting in patience for the morrow morn, 

When strong with life, and high, 

The tide will then come in. 

• The tide is out ! 
Far out at sea I watch the dancing waves 
Rising to meet the sea-gull, as she laves 

In them her weary breast. 
Fearless of all, the elements she braves. 

Seeking like me for rest, — 

Her tide is never in. 




txx a man's tonus pUasj i\iz ^orb, \t maK^tlj thzxx Ijis eitimifs ia 
be at pjact faitlj I^im." — Prov. xvi, 7. 




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if 






THE TIDE. 



The tide is out ! 
Low, lifeless like the sea-weed, now I lie. 
Wishing that, like the gull, I swift could fly 

From 'neath the burning sun 
And scorching sands, that make me long to die, 

Fearing that I am one 

Whose tide will ne'er come in. 

The tide is out ! 
Sinking upon the sand, with bended knee ; 
The cruel sand that soon will bury me. 

Unless the tide will soon come in ; 
With humble heart. Father, I pray to Thee, 

Cleanse me from grief and sin, 

And make my tid« come in. 



The tide is in ! 
Swift surging o'er the sand. And now no more 
Beside the barren, desolate sea-shore 

I watch the sun-dried rocks, 
And think my life like theirs is thirsting, sore, 

While cooling waters mock — 

For now the tide is in. 



-/(£)}¥T&'i 



267 "|i 



jjB namt oi tijj ^orb is a strong taioet : tijj righteous rnnntt^ 
into it, anit is safj." — Pro v. xviii, lo. 




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^ 






THE TIDE. 




The tide is in ! 
My happy life seems to me in its prime, 
Full of sweet hope, whose fruit will come in time, 

Bringing glad rest and peace. 
But it was not always so ; there was a time 

When sorrows would not cease, 

But now — the tide is in. 



The tide is in ! 
With grateful heart I lift mine eyes above 
To Him who sent the tide, whose name is Love ; 

Who saw me tired lie 
In a strange land, like Noah's weary dove, 

Not knowing He was nigh 

Who makes the tide come in. 



The tide is in! 
And lifting my drooped head, I now in haste 
Go forth to meet my work, across the waste ; 

Eager to live my life 
As Thou hast made it, who gave me a taste 

Of weary care and strife, 

Before my tide came in. 






"S^liJ rxg^twHS, anb- \\t feise, iini> i\i\x foorks, ar£ in \\t l^ani> of 
(Soir." — Eccl. ix, i. 




THE TIDE. 




269 



The tide is in ! 
But, ah ! the time will come, I know full well, 
That it will leave me ; when, I can not tell ; 

But when that time shall come, 
I pray that Thou my strong thoughts will quell, 

And take me to that home 

Where tides are always in. 

— MARY W. MCLAIN. 




"^at <&ats a^all bring tbttv faork iixta jubgmint." 
— Eccl. xii, 14. 





tr 



Trust in the Lord, 



JH, heard ye the bird-song this morning. 
So joyous, so fresh, and so bright ? 
It ripples as drops from a fountain, 
And sparkles like stars in the night. 

Notes soft and low, sweetly blending 
With warblings ecstatic, are heard ; 

Oh, who did imagine such rapture 
Could dwell in the breast of a bird! 

Was ever a measure so joyous. 

So filled with impassioned delight ? 

How happy if we could but catch it. 
And stay the sweet melody's flight. 







.^^ 



"3;r«st in \\z |fffrir, anir b-o gooir; so s^alt tl^ou hfotll in i\t lanb, j 
anir faerilg t^nn s^all bf feb." — Psa. xxxvii, 3. -• 



C^S. 



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TRUST IN THE LORD. 




Again and again 'tis repeated, 

From morn to the close of the day, 

Though the wind is yet cold and chilling, 
And of sunshine there scarce is a ray. 

Have birds more blessings than mortals. 
That they should be happier than we ? 

Our mercies are numbered by thousands — 
They have but a nest and a tree. 

Have birds more wisdom than mortals. 
More trust in the sweet promise given ? 

Is this tender love but for sparrows ? 
Have we no kind Father in heaven ? 

We strive to attain what we cannot, 
Of to-morrow the burden we bear ; 

They, caroling sweetly, despair not. 
And pick up the crumbs with care. 

This the lesson of life. If we learn it, 
Glad songs of devotion will rise. 

As we gather the sweet crumbs of comfort 
And trust to the God of the skies. 



-MRS. M. M. LYLE. 






Oy 






"Srast in t^e ^or^ fnii^ all t^ine l^rart." 
— Prov. iii, 5. 








^ 



xr 



Death Anticipated. 



pY GOD ! I know that I must die," 
My mortal life is passing hence ; 
On earth I neither hope nor try 

To find a lasting residence. 
Then teach me by thy heavenly grace 
With joy and peace my death to face. 

My God ! I know not when I'll die, 
What is the moment or the hour. 

How soon the clay may broken lie, 
How quickly pass away the flower ; 

Then may thy child prepared be 

Through time to meet eternity. 

My God ! I know not how I die. 
For death has many ways to come — 




"^ft mt Vii lljt btatlj of the rigl^teous, nnb let mg last tnb be like 
l^is ! " — Num. xxiii, lo. 









GTfe 



DEATH ANTICIPATED. 




In dark, mysterious agony, 

Or gentle as a sleep to some, 
Just as thou wilt, if but it be 

Forever, blessed Lord, with thee. 

My God! I know not where I'll die. 

Where is my grave, beneath what strand ; 

Yet from its gloom I do rely 
To be delivered by thy hand. 

Content I take what spot is mine. 

Since all the earth, my Lord, is thine. 

My gracious God : when I must die. 

Oh, bear my happy soul above 
With Christ, my Lord, eternally 

To share thy glory and thy love ! 
Then comes it right and well to me 

When, where and how my death shall be. 




1.. 






ignt ^e i^nt sI^hII enbnre unto t^t tnb, t^t mmt s^all bt sabfb." 

— Matt, xxiv, I-?. J, 



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• I » > Jf-< 

if 



To-Morrow. 



O-MORROW— mortal, boast not thou 
Of time and tide that are not now ! 
But think in one revolving day 
How earthly things may pass away! 

To-day — while hearts with rapture spring, 
The youth to beauty's lip may cling ; 
To-morrow — and that lip of bliss 
May sleep unconscious of his kiss. 

To-day the blooming spouse may press 
Her husband in a fond caress ; 
To-morrow — and the hands that pressed 
May wildly strike her widowed breast. 

To-day — the clasping babe may drain 
The milk-stream from its mother's vein, 
To-morrow — like a frozen rill, 
That bosom-current may be still. 



gl^oulir not trnst in ourstlljES, but in ^oir fo^itlj raisft^ t\t 
IsfoH." — 2 Cor. i, 9. 



ii 



-iSSi 



-^ 



^ 



& 



TO-MORROW. 



276 




To-day — thy merry heart may feast 
On herb, and fruit, and bird, aiad beast ; 
To-morrow — spite of all thy glee, 
The hungry worms may feast on thee. 

To-morrow ! mortal, boast not thou 
Of time and tide that are not now ! 
But think, in one revolving day, 
That e'en thyself may pass aM^ay. 



— WM. KNOX. 





"STo-irag if ge faill ^ear l^is bout, I^arb^n not gour ^earts." 
— Heb. iv, 7. 




^K 



i^u- 




-/©^ 




If 



The Time is Short 



SOMETIMES feel the thread of life is slender, 
And soon with me the labor will be wrought ; 
Then grows my heart to other hearts more tender. 
The time, 
The time is short. 

A shepherd's tent of reeds and flowers decaying, 

That night-winds soon will crumble into naught ; 
So seems my life, for some rude blast delaying. 

The time. 

The time is short. 

Up, up my soul ! the long-spent time redeeming ; 

Sow thou the seeds of better deed and thought ; 
Light other lamps while yet thy light is beaming. 

The time. 

The time is short. 



' "§Mt l^is 1 sair, brtt^rtn, tlje lime is s^ort. 
— -I Cor. vii, 29. 





THE TIME IS SHORT. 



277 y^^ 



Think of the good thou might'st have done when brightly 

The suns to thee Ufe's choicest seasons brought ; 
Hours lost to God in pleasures passing lightly. 

The time, 

The time is short. 



Think of the drooping eyes thou might'st have lifted 
To see the good that Heaven to thee hath taught ; 
The unhelped wrecks that past life's bark have drifted. 
The time, 
The time is short. 



Think of the feet that fall by misdirection, 

Of noblest souls to loss and ruin brought, 
Because their lives are barren of affection. 
The time, 
The time is short. 



The time is short. Then be thy heart a brother's 

To every heart that needs thy help in aught ; 
Soon thou may'st need the sympathy of others. 

The time. 

The time is short. 



""^t tfeat loiret^ ^is brol^tr abtl>tt^ in t^e lig^t." 
— I John ii, lo. 



^^ 



C^<^ 




<^'^ 



ebiS 






r 27^ 






THE TIME IS SHORT. 



If thou hast friends, give them thy best endeavor, 

Thy warmest impulse and thy purest thought, 
Keeping in mind, in word and action ever, 

The time. 

The time is short. 



Each thought resentful from thy mind be driven. 

And cherish love by sweet forgiveness brought ; 
Thou soon wilt need the pitying love of Heaven. 

The time, 

The time is short. 



Where summer winds, aroma-laden, hover, 

Companions rest, their work forever wrought ; 
Soon other graves the moss and fern will cover. 

The time, 

The time is short. 



Up, up, my soul ! ere yet the shadow falleth ; 
Some good return in later seasons wrought. 
Forget thyself when duty's angel calleth. 
The time. 
The time is short. 



*^ 



"^e not obtxcamt of jcbtl, but obtrtomc tbU fcitlj gootr. 
— Rom. xii, 21. 



J 



<:>> 






^^ 






^Hf 



^ ^ 



THE TIME IS SHORT. 




279 



By all the lapses thou hast been forgiven, 
By all the lessons prayer to thee hath taught, 
To others teach the sympathies of heaven. 

The time, 

The time is short. 

To others teach the overcoming power 

That thee at last to God's sweet peace hath brought ; 
Glad memories make to bless life's final hour. 

The time. 

The time is short. 

— HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. 




"^or none of xta libzt^ ta l^imstlf, anir no man hut)^ to l^imself 
— Rom. xiv, 7. 






Homeward. 



HE day dies slowly in the western sky : 

The sunset splendor fades, and wan and cold 
The far peaks wait the sunrise ; cheerily 

The goatherd calls his wanderers to the fold. 
My weary soul, that fain would cease to roam, 
Take comfort ; evening bringeth all things home. 

Homeward the swift -winged sea-gull takes her flight ; 

The ebbing tide breaks softer on the sand ; 
The red-sailed boats draw shoreward for the night. 

The shadows deepen over sea and land. 
Be still, my soul, thine hour shall also come ; 
Behold, one evening, God shall lead thee home ! 

— H. M. 



\ttz remaintt^ i\zxtlarz k rest ia t\t ptopic of 
Heb. iv, 9. 



(^Sl 



^r- 




T-S^ 




Index to First Lines. 



PAGE. 

A blessing on my babes to-night, - - - - 240 

A picture memory brings to me, - - - lOO 

After the burden and heat of the day, ... 56 
All day the birds are singing, as they flit from grove and tree, 91 

Angel voices sweetly singing, .... 256 

At dawn of day when cow-bells ring, ... - 206 

Bear them lot from grassy dells, - . - - 170 

Behold the western evening light, ... - 215 

Beyond life's toils and cares, .... 242 

By the wild billows overwhelmed, - - - . 203 



Childhood's dreams, those beautiful dreams, 
Cover them over with beautiful flowers, 



152 
141 



Earthly things. 



83 




Fair flower, that lapt in lowly glade, 
Father, where'er my feet may stray, 
First Father of the holy seed. 
Fling down the faded blossoms of the spring, - 
the wealth of pathless forests. 








\^ 



-ell© 

INDEX TO FIRST LINES. 



FAGB. 

Gently the dew falls on the grass, - - - - 96 

Give me a song and I will sing it, - - - - 173 

Golden head so lowly bending, ... - - 223 

Heaven is not reached by a single bound, - - 73 

How many of us have ships at sea? - - - - 70 

I go to life and not to death, ----- 226 

I have a bridge within my heart, . - - - 23 

I sometimes feel the thread of life is slender, - 276 

I wandered through a forest lone, - - - / - 233 

I would have gone, God bade me stay, - - - 165 

If all the pity and love untold, ----- 169 

In some wild eastern legend, the story has been told, 65 

In thy closet daily hiding, ------ 47 

In the silence of my chamber, - - - - 177 

In the mild silence of the voiceless night, . - - 147 

It gently brought to a darkened world, - - - 211 

It may be in the evening, ------ 74 

Jesu, still the storm, ------ 261 

Just to let thy Father do, 143 

Lead, kindly light ! amid the encircling gloom, - - 205 

Leaves have their time to fall, ----- 120 

Lessons sweet of spring returning, - - - - 115 

Lo, in the moonless night, ------ 208 



Methinks it is good to be here, - . - - 44 



1^ 




<HE» 



INDEX TO FIRST LINES. 




'Mid the losses and the gains, _ - . - 

Mighty Comforter to thee, - - - - - 

My God ! I know that I must die, ... 

My God ! is any hour so sweet, - _ _ - 

No bird-song floated down the hill, - - - 
Nobody knows but Jesus, . . - . _ 

Not here ! not here ! not where the sparkling waters, 
Not only once he comes, . - - - - 

O, heard ye the bird-song this morning, 
Oh, I could go through all life's troubles singing, 
Oh! to be in Jesus's bosom, - . - - - 
Oh, Jesus ! on the mountain, . . . - 

O, lady fair, these silks of mine, - - - 
Oh ! where are they the saintly, . - . 

Only a baby with winsome face, - - - 
Only a mortal's powers, . . . - - 

Only a word, 

Rock of ages, cleft for me, . . . - 

Soft falls through the gathering twilight. 

Softly comes the sunset hour, - . - - 

Still onward through this land of foes, . - - 

Tell me ye winged winds, - - 

Tell the fainting soul in the weary form, 

Thank God that in life's little day, - - - 

The bell tolls one. ------- 




246 



-Sl^ 





284 



INDEX TO FIRST LINES. 




The bird let loose in eastern skies, - - - 

The blessings which the poor and weak can scatter, 

The day dies slowly in the western sky, - 

The fields are whitening 'neath the ripening grain, 

The fool hath said "There is no God," 

The night is dark, but God, my God, 

The tide is out, 

The tomb is empty, would'st thou have it full, 
The way is hot, the way is long, - - - 
There is a calm for those who weep, - - - 
There is no death, the stars go down. 
They hear his voice, ..---- 
This is the room where she slept, - - - 
Thou for Thyself hast made us, . - - 

'Tis late in my lone chamber, - - - 

To-morrow — mortal boast not thou, - - - 
Too tired — to worn to pray, - - - - 

Under the shadow of His wings, - . - 

Upon the hills the wind is sharp and cold, 



What shall I wish thee? 

What ship is this comes sailing, ... 

What though we suffer while we stay, 

When fall the evening shadows, long and deep, across 

When is the time for prayer, - - - - 

When light the purple crocus springs. 

When nature tries her finest touch. 



Yes ! faith is a goodly anchor. 



PAGE. 
255 

55 
280 
112 

32 
134 
266 

89 

39 
263 

50 
197 
166 
217 
182 
274 
163 

81 
253 



221 
218 
151 
the hill, 16 
244 
36 
107 

61 




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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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